Overview

• James O’Connor was added to the 34-man squad days after flying to London to join Leicester, with routing back to link up before Auckland still being worked through.
• Scrumhalf Jake Gordon returns from a hamstring injury as the only new inclusion from the Argentina block, allowing Nic White to proceed with his retirement.
• Will Skelton remains in France with La Rochelle due to Top 14 commitments, with separate reporting noting a possible Perth availability that has not been confirmed.
• Ben Donaldson was omitted while Tane Edmed and Tom Lynagh were retained, as coach Joe Schmidt pointed to the need for experience to support inexperienced fly-halves.
• The squad departs Sunday for the Sept. 27 Eden Park opener before Perth on Oct. 4, with James Slipper poised for a 150th cap and Australia needing two wins to regain the Cup.