All Blacks pick one rookie in Rugby Championship squad
Coach Scott Robertson has also named three uncapped players as injury cover - prop Tevita Mafileo, scrumhalf Kyle Preston and versatile back Leroy Carter.
The likes of Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke are injured.
For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.
New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson on Monday named one uncapped player in his squad for the Rugby Championship, which begins this month when the All Blacks play back-back Tests in Argentina.
Chiefs flanker Simon Parker was included for the first time for the opening match against Los Pumas in Cordoba on 16 August.
'Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with,' Robertson said.
'He has the ability to play blindside or No 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.'
Time to battle in our playground! 🏟
Your team for The Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship 🌿🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/3C687rgWMy
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 4, 2025
Robertson named three uncapped players as injury cover - prop Tevita Mafileo, scrumhalf Kyle Preston and versatile back Leroy Carter.
Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke will not travel because of injury.
'While we are clearly disappointed for our men who are currently recovering from injuries, that has also created opportunities for a number of deserving players,' Robertson said.
'These players have earned the opportunity through consistent performance, and we know that they will take this chance.
'It is also fantastic to have Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi returning from their injuries, as well as welcoming Peter Lakai, Finlay Christie and Josh Lord back into the group.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Injuries shake up Wallabies' flyhalf options ahead of Rugby Championship
SYDNEY (AP) — Tom Lynagh's concussion and Noah Lolesio's neck injury leaves utility Ben Donaldson, 35-year-old James O'Connor or rookie Tane Edmed as Australia's flyhalf options for Rugby Championship tests in South Africa. Rugby Australia unveiled a 35-man squad Thursday for the two tests against the World Cup champion Springboks, making injury-enforced changes to the squad that won the third test in a 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions. Edmed went on as a replacement in his one and only test to date — a narrow loss to Ireland last November — and wasn't in the Wallabies squad for the series against the Lions. O'Connor, a 64-test veteran who played for the Super Rugby-winning Crusaders last season, was in the wider Wallabies squad but not selected for matches. Donaldson went on as a replacement for Lynagh in the third test after the 22-year-old playmaker sustained a concussion from an illegal tackle from Lions hooker Dan Sheehan that resulted in a four-game suspension for the Irishman. An injury to Jake Gordon has delayed veteran scrumhalf Nic White's international retirement. White, regular finisher Tate McDermott and uncapped Ryan Lonergan were the scrumhalves picked for the squad to take on South Africa in two tests on Aug. 16 in Johannesburg and Aug. 23 in Cape Town. Lonergan is one of three uncapped players in the squad, along with winger Corey Toole and former New Zealand All Blacks prop Aidan Ross, who joined the Queensland Reds from the Chiefs following the Super Rugby final. Backrower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who played in three tour games against the Lions but wasn't part of the Wallabies set up, has returned to the top squad. 'It's pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies,:" Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said. "We're very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends. 'The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.' ___ Australia squad: Forwards: Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson. Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The dog ate my passport: Family pooch dogs rookie's All Blacks call-up
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Rookie Leroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery. 'The dog ate my passport.' The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson's Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise. Carter was rushing to get things together for the squad's assembly and departure when he realized the family dog had intercepted his passport. 'I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the (team) manager and I just left it on my bedside table,' Carter said. 'My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone and it's gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners. 'It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it's all (sorted) now. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it." The All Blacks squad leaves Friday to play Argentina in Cordoba on Aug. 17 and Buenos Aires a week later in the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship which also includes Australia and South Africa. ___ AP rugby:
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Hollywood Brown returns to State Farm Stadium as member of Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs' only former Cardinals player is Hollywood Brown, but he won't likely play in the preseason opener. The Arizona Cardinals will face the Kansas City Chiefs in their preseason opener Saturday night at State Farm Stadium at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. Arizona time). It will be a bit of a homecoming for one former Cardinals player. Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown will be returning to State Farm Stadium since he signed with Kansas City last offseason. Brown played two seasons for the Cardinals. They acquired him in a draft-day trade in 2022. In two seasons, he played in 24 games, missing eight games to different injuries, caught 118 passes for 1,283 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He is the only former Cardinals player on the Chiefs' offseason roster. However, Brown might not get to play. He has been nursing an ankle injury he suffered last week. The Chiefs starters will start the game against the Cardinals starters, but we shouldn't expect to see Brown suit up. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
