All Blacks XV squad gets Love ahead of Munster clash

SQUAD UPDATE: The All Blacks XV have made changes to their squad ahead of matches against Munster and Georgia in November.

Corey Kellow (Crusaders), Devan Flanders (Hurricanes), Caleb Delaney (Hurricanes) and Simon Parker (Chiefs) have been named in the All Blacks XV squad, replacing Peter Lakai (All Blacks), Josh Lord (All Blacks), Emoni Narawa (injured) and Hoskins Sotutu (injured).

Outside back Ruben Love will also join the squad, which All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson says is to give him the chance of more game time when the All Blacks XV face Munster this weekend:

“We are keen to keep the momentum going for Ruben, following his impressive All Blacks debut against Japan,” said Robertson.

“This is one of the benefits of having both teams in the Northern Hemisphere at the same time; it creates more opportunities for a greater number of players to gain international experience and valuable game time.”

In addition, six of the All Blacks XV players who travelled with the All Blacks to Japan have re-joined squad in Ireland.

All Blacks XV squad

Forwards: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Bower, Caleb Delaney, George Dyer, Kurt Eklund, Devan Flanders, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Corey Kellow, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Saula Ma’u, Brodie McAlister, Xavier Numia, Simon Parker, Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Isaia Walker-Leawere.

Backs: Finlay Christie, Chay Fihaki, Riley Higgins, Noah Hotham, Josh Jacomb, AJ Lam, Ruben Love, Dallas McLeod, Kiniviliame Naholo, Harry Plummer, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea.

The upcoming fixtures for the All Blacks XV are as follows:

Saturday, November 2 – All Blacks XV v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland

Sunday, November 10 – All Blacks XV v Georgia, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France