All Blacks End of Year Tour Squad Announced!

The All Blacks have named their squad for the end of year tour to play Japan, France, England and Ireland next month.

There are few bolters in the squad with Dominic Bird set to get his chance on this tour after cruelly missing out due to injury earlier in the season, along with Crusaders and Canterbury duo, Joe Moody and Luke Whitelock, and hot Counties winger, Frank Halai.

Yes it's another Whitelock in the team - sorry Adam, looks like you'll be the one to miss out.

Luke Romano and Cory Jane are probably likely to join the squad later in the tour as they recover from injury.

Luke Romano is set to return later in the tour from injury

Experienced hooker, Andrew Hore is set to have his last hurrah after missing out on a farewell to his home fans in Dunedin last night.

Big names to miss out? Piri Weepu's test career is probably over with TJ Perenara set to get his chance at long last after missing out in the Rugby Championship due to injury while Ben Franks sits this one out with Joe Moody and Ben Afeaki touring Europe.

A squad of mostly newer All Blacks will travel to Japan first with the more experienced players flying straight to Paris to prepare for the test against Les Bleus in the 2nd week of November.

In addition, Ardie Savea will join the squad after the ITM Cup Premiership Final as an "apprentice" player - reward for Wellington's rising star of New Zealand rugby.

So here's the squad of 36 -

Dane Coles
Keven Mealamu
Andrew Hore
Tony Woodcock
Wyatt Crockett
Owen Franks
Charlie Faumuina
Joe Moody
Ben Franks
Sam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Luke Romano
Jeremy Thrush
Dominic Bird
Steven Luatua
Liam Messam
Richie McCaw
Sam Cane
Kieran Read
Luke Whitelock
Aaron Smith
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
TJ Perenara
Dan Carter
Aaron Cruden
Beauden Barrett
Tom Taylor
Francis Sai'ili
Ma'a Nonu
Ben Smith
Ryan Crotty
Cory Jane
Julian Savea
Frank Halai
Israel Dagg
Charles Piutau