Bledisloe Cup match winner Colin Slade has been left out of the All Blacks' 34-man squad to tour the USA and Europe. Counties Manukau halfback Augustine Pulu has been named in the squad as Sonny Bill Williams also joins Carter and Victor Vito in a return to the squad.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has unveiled his 34-man squad to head on their four-test Northern Tour. Daniel Richardson takes a look at five talking points.
Slade out
Dan Carter was always likely to make a return but it's unlucky for Colin Slade. After Saturday night's heroic kick to help the All Blacks beat the Wallabies, Slade will now likely have November off. It seems unfair but Hansen and Co remain steadfast in their belief that when Dan Carter is fit, their top three first-fives are Carter, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett; although that pecking order is set to chop and change during the next year. Carter (leg) does need to prove his fitness by next week, which could offer Slade a late reprieve.
Slade kicks the match-winner in Brisbane. Photo / Getty Images
It wasn't long ago that Steven Luatua looked set for a long stay in the All Black environment but the talented loose forward has become surplus to requirements with the return of Victor Vito who has recovered from a neck injury that kept him out of the Rugby Championship. It's an open secret that Vito had been mulling a lucrative offer in France but his selection in this squad looks likely to keep him in New Zealand for a while longer. Vito's versatility in the loose forward mix provides Hansen with more options than Luatua.
Lualuta in action against Australia. Photo / Getty Images
Five locks
That seems likely plenty of second-rowers but with Luke Romano coming back from injury, Hansen said they needed to get the returning Crusader back up to speed with their processes and tactics. When free of ailments, Romano demands a spot somewhere in the All Blacks' match-day squad but it seems slightly curious to carry a player on a tour when he may not be ready to play. It should be a learning experience for Romano.
Romano was the fifth lock named in the squad. Photo / Dean Purcell
Augustine Pulu
With Tawera Kerr-Barlow set for a stint on the sidelines with a busted knee, his Chiefs teammate is clearly seen as the next halfback in line. At 24, Pulu represents an exciting young player who could develop nicely on tour. There had been a few calls for veteran Jimmy Cowan to head away on the back of his strong form for Tasman but with an eye to the future, Pulu is the smart choice.
Pulu replaces the injured Tawera Kerr-Barlow. Photo / Getty Images
SBW
What would a squad announcement be without a tip of the cap to the walking headline? Sonny Bill Williams hasn't played a lot of rugby this year but a couple of cameos for Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup seems enough to earn him a plane ticket north. The talented midfielder brings plenty of off-field marketing opportunities and a canny offload game, so what better way to nurse him back to international rugby than have him run through a few Americans in Chicago.
SBW made a couple of matches for Counties Manukau. Photo / Brett Phibbs
