New Zealand name six uncapped players in squad for Test series against Wales

By Reuters

Tuesday 31 May 2016 07:27, UK

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has named six uncapped players in his 32-man squad for the three-match Test series against Wales in June.

Hansen, announcing his first squad since last year's World Cup victory, was tasked with finding players to replace senior team members who retired following the final win over Australia at Twickenham in October.

Captain Richie McCaw, fly halves Dan Carter and Colin Slade, centers Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, prop Tony Woodcock and hooker Keven Mealamu have either retired or are now playing in France.

Their departures have cost the All Blacks a total of more than 770 tests caps.

Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu, Ardie Savea, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire and Ofa Tu'ungafasi have been drafted in and are all set to make their international bows against the Welsh next month.

"We know that there's been a lot of interest around the selection of this first All Blacks squad of 2016, after what was a great season for us last year, and with a large group of experienced players moving on," Hansen said.

"Many people, including our opponents, may be thinking we're vulnerable and are rebuilding. However, we don't have that mindset. Our mindset is about re-establishing and moving to a higher level.

"That's our challenge to move to a higher level than we showed at last year's World Cup.

"We have put a full stop on 2015."

The first Test match between the sides will take place in Auckland on June 11. They face off again in Wellington a week later before the Test series concludes in Dunedin on June 25.

New Zealand squad:

Backs: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Malakai Fekitoa, Seta Tamanivalu, Charlie Ngatai, Ryan Crotty, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara.

Forwards: Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jerome Kaino, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano, Tom Franklin, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.