All Blacks XV squad named for the 2023 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup

The 30-strong All Blacks XV squad was selected by the All Blacks coaching team of Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan and includes nine players with Test experience including Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Akira Ioane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Brett Cameron and Jack Goodhue.

Following their inaugural Northern tour last year, Leon MacDonald has again been named as All Blacks XV Head Coach alongside Assistant Coaches Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.

The 30-strong All Blacks XV squad is as follows (age, Super Rugby club, province):

Forwards:
Jermaine Ainsley (28, Highlanders, Otago)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (23, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Asafo Aumua (26, Hurricanes, Wellington
Billy Harmon (28, Highlanders, Canterbury)
Akira Ioane (28, Blues, Auckland)
Oli Jager (27, Crusaders, Canterbury)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (26, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Christian Lio-Willie (24, Crusaders, Otago)
Tevita Mafileo (25, Hurricanes, Bay of Plenty)
Xavier Numia (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Ricky Riccitelli (28, Blues, Taranaki)
Aidan Ross (27, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Pita Gus Sowakula (28, Chiefs, Taranaki)
Quinten Strange (26, Crusaders, Tasman)
Cameron Suafoa (27, Blues, North Harbour)
Tyrone Thompson (23, Chiefs, Wellington)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (26, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)

Backs:
Brett Cameron (26, Hurricanes, Manawatū)
Folau Fakatava (23, Highlanders, Hawke’s Bay)
Sam Gilbert (24, Highlanders, Otago)
Jack Goodhue (27, Crusaders, Northland)
AJ Lam (24, Blues, Auckland)
Ruben Love (22, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Alex Nankivell (26, Chiefs, Tasman)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (23, Chiefs, Counties Manukau)
Jona Nareki (25, Highlanders, Otago)
Stephen Perofeta (26, Blues, Taranaki)
Billy Proctor (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Bailyn Sullivan (24, Hurricanes, Waikato)
Brad Weber (32, Chiefs, Hawke’s Bay)

The All Blacks XV assemble on 29 June, travelling to Tokyo where they compete for the 2023 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup kicking off Saturday 8 July, at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo before a second match on Saturday, July 15 at Egao Kenko Stadium in Kumamoto.

All Blacks XV Schedule:
SATURDAY 8 JULY – Japan XV v All Blacks XV, 8.00PM, CHICHIBUNOMIYA RUGBY STADIUM, TOKYO
SATURDAY 15 JULY – Brave Blossoms v All Blacks XV, 9.05PM EGAO KENKO STADIUM, KUMAMOTO
Both matches will be available live and on demand with Sky Sport.

About All Blacks XV:
The All Blacks XV was launched as NZR’s next senior national representative team after the All Blacks, as a critical high-performance pathway to the All Blacks. As the next senior national representative side, the All Blacks XV will have the same high expectations as the other Teams in Black.

The All Blacks XV follows in the footsteps of similar teams which have assembled throughout New Zealand rugby's history, including the Junior All Blacks, New Zealand A and Emerging Players.

Gallagher Chiefs players in bold.