Three rookies in 'tough' All Black selection.
Highlanders and Tasman loose forward Shannon Frizell, Crusaders and Tasman loose forward Jordan Taufua and Chiefs and Taranaki scrumhalf Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.]
Also selected are Crusaders teammates Tim Perry, Richie Mo'unga and Jack Goodhue, who played non-Test matches on last year's year-end tour and are yet to make their Test debuts.
Meanwhile, making a welcome return to the All Blacks are 95-Test cap prop Owen Franks and Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder, who both missed the back half of last year's All Blacks season through injury.
As well as the 33-man squad, two other players will assemble with the squad.
Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman, will come in as paternity cover for Nathan Harris, whose partner is expecting a baby during the June series against France; while Blues loose forward Akira Ioane will assemble as well, with the All Blacks selectors wanting to take the opportunity to continue his development at international level.
With Kieran Read injured, the All Blacks selectors have named 96-Test lock Sam Whitelock as captain for the Tests, with fullback Ben Smith and loose forward Sam Cane named as Vice-captains.
Whitelock has captained the team once before, against Wales in the last Test of 2017.
As well as Read, other players not considered for selection due to injury were Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Kane Hames, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Patrick Tuipulotu and Israel Dagg.
All Blacks are in the 🏠 #SteinlagerSeries pic.twitter.com/BNKJ7nGVUD
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 19, 2018
"It was a really tough squad to select, more so because there are some very talented players who have missed out," All Black coach Steve Hansen said.
"However, I'm sure they will get their opportunity in the black jersey in the near future."
Hansen also congratulated Whitelock on his appointment as captain for the series.
"He's one half of the best locking combination in the world and one of the best players on and off the park. He has a cool head under pressure and the support of the players and management.
"In saying that, we're blessed with a number of other leaders in our group and the expectations are that they'll continue to lead both on and off the park in their actions, and in doing so make Sam's job that little bit easier."
In setting the scene for the All Blacks season, Hansen said: "2018 will be about consolidation for us.
"We'll look to continue to grow our player depth and expose more players to our environment and Test rugby, help them improve and enhance their game fundamentals, and in doing so, create consistent, ingrained habits that will hold up under the greatest of pressures, which is Test rugby."
Hansen described the French as "always a dangerous side.
"Whilst they're at the end of their season, many of their players haven't played a lot of rugby through injury, so they'll be a lot fresher than they'd normally be, for this campaign. Our preparation will need to be both smart and bone-deep if we're to combat this French team, who'll come with a strong belief and commitment. As history tells us, we'd be very foolish and naïve to underestimate their abilities."
The makeup of the squad sees 17 forwards selected (two hookers, five props, three locks and seven loose forwards) and 16 backs (three scrumhalves, three first five-eighths, five midfielders and five outside backs) with an average age of 26.
The squad is made up of three Blues players, six Chiefs, eight Hurricanes, 10 Crusaders and six Highlanders, while 12 of New Zealand's provinces are represented with seven Canterbury players, five from Taranaki, four from Wellington and Tasman, three from Manawatu, two each from Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and one player from Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Northland and Otago.
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland until Tuesday and in Christchurch from Sunday, May 27, to Tuesday, May 29 – before assembling in Auckland on Sunday, June 3 to prepare for the first Test.
New Zealand squad:
Forwards: Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock (captain), Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Jordan Taufua, Luke Whitelock.
Backs: Thomas Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.
Tests against France:
Saturday, June: Eden Park, Auckland – 19.35
Saturday, June 16: Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON – 19.35
Saturday, June 23: Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN – 19.35
We are getting close… pic.twitter.com/kKniChk1Lb
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 19, 2018
