Dave Rennie has named a 36-man All Blacks squad for the northern leg of the Nations Championship, featuring uncapped players Saula Ma’u and Josh Jacomb alongside returning figures such as Leicester Fainga’anuku and Christian Lio-Willie, as New Zealand prepares for Tests against Scotland, Wales, and England.
Dave Rennie Names 36-Man Squad for United Kingdom Tour
The All Blacks squad assembled in Auckland ahead of their departure for the United Kingdom, where they will face a demanding schedule against European opponents. The touring party numbers 36 players to contend with the accumulation of injuries that has tested New Zealand’s depth across the pack and the backline.
Codie Taylor will again captain the tour in the absence of Ardie Savea. The side includes eight players returning from injury alongside two fresh faces who have earned their first call-ups of the year under the coaching staff. Dave Rennie selected the touring group alongside fellow selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes, opting to drop some selection surprises for New Zealand’s final matches of the year. The All Blacks are set to play Scotland, Wales, and England on consecutive weekends in what head coach Dave Rennie described as a tough assignment against proud rugby nations with passionate home crowds.
Leicester Fainga’anuku Returns as a Hybrid Option
The headline selection centers on Leicester Fainga’anuku, who returns to the international fold after missing the July internationals and the tour of South Africa due to a broken leg and high ankle sprain sustained during the Crusaders’ Super Rugby semi-final against the Chiefs in July. Though traditionally an outside back or midfielder during his 12 previous Test appearances, Fainga’anuku has been officially listed among the six loose forwards by Dave Rennie.
Having previously played as a loose forward for Tasman in the National Provincial Championship following his return from injury—where a head-injury assessment momentarily halted his senior rugby comeback—Fainga’anuku expressed readiness to fulfill whatever role the coaching staff requires. His versatility also encompasses playing on the wing or in the midfield, a skill set developed during two years playing in France following the 2023 World Cup and through his appearances in the No. 7 jersey for the Crusaders during the Super Rugby campaign. Speaking to media at Auckland airport before departure, the 27-year-old admitted his selection as a loose forward came as a surprise even to himself, contrasting with the Crusaders naming him as a midfielder.
I don’t really see myself as a midfielder or a loosie … a hybrid is definitely the title.
Leicester Fainga’anuku, All Blacks player
Rennie noted that having a player capable of covering the midfield, wing, and loose forward positions provides the team with tactical flexibility, opening up the possibility of utilizing a 6-2 bench split during the northern matches without taking excessive risks. Rennie pointed out that had Fainga’anuku been available for the South Africa fixtures, his multifaceted coverage would have proved invaluable for deploying a 6-2 split.
Injuries and New Faces Shape the Touring Party
Samisoni Taukei’aho’s recent injury also opened the door for changes at hooker. Alongside Fainga’anuku, fellow Crusaders players Cristian Lio-Willie and George Bell have returned to the squad. For Lio-Willie, selection marks an official call-up following a previous stint as an injury replacement, while hooker George Bell heads to Europe injury-free after returning early from the South Africa tour with a calf injury. Additional returning players include Saula, Christian, Jamie Hannah—who featured in Canterbury’s NPC grand final victory over Northland—and Chay Fihaki, who provides competition on the wing alongside Fehi Fineanganofo. Uncapped members Saula Ma’u and Josh Jacomb round out the 36-man touring group alongside injury cover options.
The 36-man team brings together a mix of experienced campaigners and players building on form demonstrated during the National Provincial Championship and the Bledisloe Cup.
Match Schedule in the United Kingdom
The northern campaign forms part of the ongoing Nations Championship. The series kicks off against Scotland in Edinburgh before moving to Cardiff and London.
| Opponent | Date (NZDT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 8 November 2026, 3:10am | Edinburgh |
| Wales | – | Cardiff |
| England | – | Twickenham, London |