All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his 36-player squad for the final four Nations Championship Tests of the year, with the group boosted by the return of several key players back from injury.
Rennie's squad has been hit with an injury crisis over recent months with several key figures including Ardie Savea, Leroy Carter, Ruben, Billy Proctor and Tyrel Lomax all unavailable due to injury. However, the group has been buoyed by the returns of several figures including George Bell, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Anton Leinert-Brown all named for the Northern Hemisphere tour.
Up to 12 players have returned to add starch to a group that bounced back from a 3-1 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series defeat to South Africa with a Bledisloe Cup series whitewash against the Wallabies in October.
Elsewhere, Codie Taylor will retain his captaincy as they prepare to face Scotland, Wales and England before the finals weekend.
Jordie Barrett and Richie Mo'unga headline Rennie's returners with Saula Ma'u, Christian Lio-Willie, Quinn Tupaea, Ethan Blackadder, Anton Segner, Asafo Aumua and Fehi Fineanganofo also back in contention after missing out through 2026.
Ma'u and Josh Jacomb could also win their maiden Test caps, after being included in the extended group. Jacomb has previously featured for the All Blacks in uncapped fixtures during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, while Ma'u has played for the All Blacks XV.
"This is a really strong squad we have selected. It's great to officially welcome George, Saula, Leicester, Christian, Jamie and Chay back into the squad. They have all shown fantastic form during the NPC. We're also rapt to have eight players who have played a lot of footy for us this year return from injury. They bring a lot of quality and experience to the group," Rennie said in a statement.
"Playing Scotland, Wales and England on consecutive weekends is a tough assignment. These are all proud rugby nations with passionate home crowds. We will embrace the challenge and the opportunity to build on our Bledisloe Cup performances. We have enjoyed fantastic support at home and away this year and acknowledge the thousands of Kiwis who we know will be setting alarms to watch from the other side of the world."
All Blacks squad
Forwards: Codie Taylor (c), Asafo Aumua, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Saula Ma'u, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa'i, Anton Segner, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi
Backs: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Chay Fihaki, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett