Overview

• Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed a 36-man squad for November’s Grand Slam tour, adding hooker George Bell from outside the Rugby Championship group and naming prop Tevita Mafileo as the sole uncapped player.
• Lock Josh Lord replaces Tupou Vaa’i, who requires knee surgery, while prop Tyrel Lomax is out with a broken thumb and several others remain unavailable through injury.
• Beauden Barrett is included for the tour opener in Chicago after a shoulder issue, though it remains unclear if he will be fit to start.
• New Zealand face Ireland at Soldier Field on Nov. 2, then Scotland at Murrayfield on Nov. 9, England at Twickenham on Nov. 16 and Wales at the Principality Stadium on Nov. 23.
• Commentary has criticized the conservative selections and the retention of experienced backs, as New Zealand Rugby names Jamie Joseph to lead the All Blacks XV with a brief to accelerate player development.