Frizell and Barrett headline All Blacks squad as Rennie balances injuries and Bledisloe pressure

Tasman loose forward Shannon Frizell is back in the All Blacks frame for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after being named in Dave Rennie’s 34-man Bledisloe Cup squad.

Frizell, who joined Japan’s Toshiba Brave Lupus after the World Cup, returned to New Zealand this year targeting a national recall following a season with Tasman in the NPC. That ambition was briefly disrupted by a hamstring injury, but a strong three-week block for the Mako – capped by an 80-minute performance against Bay of Plenty last Thursday – has helped propel him back into Test contention.

Also returning is former captain Scott Barrett. The lock made a successful comeback from back surgery with a 50-minute outing for Taranaki on Sunday, his first match since playing Wales last November. His experience and lineout presence add significant weight to a tight five reshaped by injury and rotation.

“It’s great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell,” Rennie said. “Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we’re thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.”

Selection under pressure as injuries mount

Both recalls arrive as Rennie manages a mounting injury list in key positions. Captain Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder), Ollie Norris (knee), Ruben Love (ankle) and Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) are all unavailable.

Those absences have reshaped the balance of the squad:

• Frizell’s return strengthens a loose forward group that has lost its established No.8 and a senior blindside option in Jacobson.
• Barrett’s inclusion restores a proven leader to a locking unit missing Tuipulotu’s physicality.
• Rennie has retained Josh Jacomb as a first five-eighths alongside Richie Mo’unga, with Beauden Barrett listed in the outside backs, reinforcing the need for flexibility across the backline.

Overall, 31 players from the recent South Africa tour have been retained, underlining continuity in Rennie’s planning while still leaving room for role changes and promotion of form players.

Bledisloe Cup context and World Cup timeline

The squad has been named for the Bledisloe Cup, a fixture overseen at international level by World Rugby and contested annually between New Zealand and Australia. The All Blacks have held the trophy since 2003, a stretch Rennie is keen to protect even as he works on longer-term plans.

Rennie described the recent “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour to South Africa as a valuable testing ground. “We’ve learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey,” he said. “Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place.”

The coach’s immediate priority is retaining the Bledisloe Cup in what has become a more anticipated series following the Wallabies’ upset win over the Springboks at the weekend. At the same time, having replaced Scott Robertson at the start of the year, Rennie is working on an accelerated build towards next year’s World Cup and views the two Bledisloe Tests as crucial selection and cohesion opportunities.

“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We’ve held it since 2003 and we don’t take that for granted,” he said. “Australia will be a real challenge. It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park.”

Leadership reshaped with Taylor as captain

With Savea sidelined, Rennie has confirmed that Codie Taylor will lead the squad. The hooker, who captained the group on tour, now formalises that role for the Bledisloe series.

“Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as tour captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence.”

Taylor’s appointment centralises leadership in the forward pack, supported by senior figures such as Barrett, Mo’unga, Jordie Barrett, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. For an international audience, this underlines New Zealand’s tendency to distribute on-field decision-making across multiple experienced players rather than rely solely on a single captaincy voice.

The All Blacks will assemble in Auckland on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on Saturday, 10 October. With Eden Park traditionally a stronghold for New Zealand, the opening Test will also serve as a benchmark for how well Rennie’s refreshed combinations absorb pressure in a fixture with both silverware and selection consequences.

Backline balance and halfback hierarchy

Love’s ankle injury has opened the door for Jacomb to remain in the squad as a first five-eighths behind Mo’unga, while Beauden Barrett’s listing among the outside backs reflects the need for depth at fullback and wing in the absence of Clarke and Proctor.

At halfback, Kyle Preston’s rise is one of the more notable selection signals. After playing all eight matches on the South Africa tour, he now appears established as the third halfback option behind Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima, edging out fellow Crusader Noah Hotham, who was coach Rob Penney’s preferred No.9 at Super Rugby level.

For the Bledisloe series, that pecking order could shape how New Zealand manages tempo late in Tests and how it covers any mid-series injuries in a specialist position where combinations with Mo’unga, McKenzie and the midfield are critical.

Forwards: depth tested, experience recalled

The loose forward mix illustrates how Rennie is balancing long-term development with proven Test performers. Frizell, Ethan Blackadder and Wallace Sititi bring differing profiles in contact and work rate, while Simon Parker, Anton Segner and Peter Lakai deepen competition for places in the match-day 23.

In the tight five, Barrett’s return anchors a locking group of Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland and Tupou Vaa’i. Up front, props Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell and Pasilio Tosi retain a strong Super Rugby base, with Taylor, Asafo Aumua and Samisoni Taukei’aho forming an experienced hooker trio.

Given the physical demands of Test rugby and the Bledisloe’s intensity, that breadth allows rotation while preserving set-piece standards across the two-match schedule.

Backs: versatility across midfield and back three

The midfield group of Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Rieko Ioane gives Rennie varied options in both direct carrying and distribution. Outside them, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett and McKenzie offer coverage across wing and fullback, with Jordan and Barrett in particular providing aerial strength and kicking options.

Such versatility is significant not only for the Bledisloe but also for managing tournament-style demands, where injuries and form can force rapid positional adjustments.

All Blacks Bledisloe Cup squad

Hookers

Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 112) (Captain)

Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 26)

Samisoni Taukei’aho (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 45)

Props

Ethan de Groot (28 / Highlanders / Southland / 45)

George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 29)

Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 5)

Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 55)

Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 41)

Pasilio Tosi (28 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17)

Locks

Scott Barrett (32 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 89)

Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 17)

Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 15)

Tupou Vaa’i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 51)

Loose forwards

Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 10)

Shannon Frizell (32 / Highlanders / Tasman / 33)

Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2)

Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Tasman / 15)

Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 14)

Wallace Sititi (24 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 23)

Halfbacks

Cam Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 24)

Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24)

Kyle Preston (27 / Crusaders / Wellington / 5)

First five-eighths

Richie Mo’unga (32 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 57)

Josh Jacomb (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)

Midfielders

Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 85)

Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 29)

Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Tasman / 2)

Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 89)

Outside backs

Fehi Fineanganofo (24 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)

Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 10)

Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 5)

Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Tasman / 61)

Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 145)

Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 81)

Unavailable due to injury: Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee)