Full squad lists for the six teams in action this weekend in part one of the November test series preview. Australia, Canada, England, Japan, New Zealand, and the Maori inside.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has picked most of their Rugby Championship squad with the most notable absentee being disgraced James O’Connor, who has headed to England to play with London Irish. Ben Mowen has replaced James Horwill as captain, with Quade Cooper named vice-captain.
Tatafu Polota-Nau returns from injury but is still short of match fitness. Rob Simmons is in the squad but will miss at least the England match and probably more with a knee injury. Long-term injury absentees include first choice back row Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock, and Wycliff Palu. Fullback Jesse Mogg misses out to have shoulder surgery, centre Pat McCabe remains on the shelf with a neck injury, and Fijian speedster Henry Speight won’t become eligible on residency grounds until the last game of the tour.
FIXTURES:
11/02 – 14:30 GMT – vs England – Twickenham, London
11/09 – 14:00 GMT – vs Italy – Stadio Olimpico, Turin
11/16 – 17:45 GMT – vs Ireland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
11/23 – 18:00 GMT – vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11/30 – 17:00 GMT – vs Wales – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Kieran Crowley has named a 26 man squad solely for the Maori match before Canada departs on their European tour. Several professional players were unavailable due to club commitments including: Benoit Piffero, Jason Marshall, Jamie Cudmore, Brett Beukeboom, Tyler Hotson, Jebb Sinclair, Shane O’Leary, Phil Mackenzie, D.T.H. van der Merwe, Taylor Paris, and James Pritchard. Most are expected to be available for the full tour.
First choice hooker Ryan Hamilton is still out injured so Ray Barkwill is the only specialist named with Andrew Tiedemann and captain Aaron Carpenter providing cover. Former Ospreys flanker Chauncey O’Toole continues to be unavailable with work commitments while 7s stars Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke are both injured. Scrumhalf Jamie Mackenzie is preferred to Sean White after impressing in the recent ARC tournament. Uncapped newcomers include former u20 tightheads Jake Ilnicki and Ryan March, and flanker Kyle Gilmour, previously capped for the 7s side. World Cup star Adam Kleeberger makes a notable return from long term injury.
FIXTURES:
11/03 – 17:00 GMT – vs NZ Maori – BMO Field, Toronto
*Canadian cap totals include Churchill Cup matches for which official caps have not yet been awarded
Brad Barritt, Manu Tuilagi, and Tom Croft are the only Elite Squad members to miss out on selection in Stuart Lancaster’s squad for November. Luther Burrell, Joel Tomkins, and Tom Johnson have been called up in their place. Additional call ups include Henry Thomas, Rob Webber, and Henry Trinder.
Lions test loosehead Alex Corbisiero will miss at least the Australian match with a recurrence of a knee problem, but is hopeful of playing the other matches. Geoff Parling was concussed in training and will also miss the first match, but is expected to be fit in a week’s time. Chris Robshaw retains the captaincy despite suggestions in the media that Tom Wood would usurp him.
FIXTURES:
11/02 – 14:30 GMT – vs Australia – Twickenham, London
11/09 – 14:30 GMT – vs Argentina – Twickenham, London
11/16 – 14:30 GMT – vs New Zealand – Twickenham, London
Cherry Blossoms coach Eddie Jones has recovered from a mild stroke and will be fit to accompany his team on their tour. The Japanese finally have some consistency in selection with nearly every player having taken part in either the Pacific Nations Cup or the two Welsh tests. Veteran Luke Thompson is recalled at the expense of Toshizumi Kitagawa, and injury to star flanker Michael Leitch means that uncapped Kyosuke Horie gets the call.
Shoulder surgery for Hirotoki Onozawa means that he misses out, and at the age of 35 that could mean the end of his glorious test career. Akihito Yamada, a previous squad selection but still uncapped, takes his place, while Toshiaki Hirose returns to the captaincy.
FIXTURES:
11/02 – 05:00 GMT – vs New Zealand – Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
11/09 – 14:30 GMT – vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11/15 – 19:30 GMT – vs Russia – Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay
11/23 – 15:00 GMT – vs Spain – Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Steve Hansen has chosen a large touring party as the All Blacks tour begins in Tokyo for the first time. The entire Rugby Championship squad has been retained, with a few additions via the ITM Cup. First choice lock Luke Romano returns from injury and is joined by his uncapped Canterbury teammate Dominic Bird. Other test rookies include former 7s winger Frank Halai, scrumhalf T.J. Perenara, back row Luke Whitelock and prop Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, who is included due to an untimely injury to Joe Moody.
Wellington tyro Ardie Savea, brother of winger Julian, comes along for the ride though initially listed as an ‘apprentice’ selection. Star attacker Cory Jane also makes a welcome return to test rugby. Andrew Hore will reportedly be retiring following the tour, and has not been named in any of the 2014 Super Rugby sides.
FIXTURES:
11/02 – 05:00 GMT – vs Japan – Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
11/09 – 20:00 GMT – vs France – Stade de France, Paris
11/16 – 14:30 GMT – vs England – Twickenham, London
11/24 – 14:00 GMT – vs Ireland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Taranaki supremo Colin Cooper has replaced Jamie Joseph as head coach of the Maori, who embark on a two game tour of North America. Ten players return from last year’s squad, including new captain Tim Bateman. Most notable of the five capped All Black inclusions is scrumhalf Piri Weepu, and he is joined by giant tighthead Ben Afeaki, hooker Hika Elliot, lock Jarrad Hoeata, and controversial winger Zac Guildford.
National u20 graduate Ihaia West is the only specialist flyhalf in the group, but both Weepu and Bateman act as cover along with fullback Robbie Robinson. Hooker Joe Royal also covers prop, and Blade Thomson covers lock though he has played exclusively as a no8 this season. Ash Dixon has been called in to replace injured Corey Flynn.
FIXTURES:
11/03 – 17:00 GMT – vs Canada – BMO Field, Toronto
11/09 – 22:00 EST – vs United States – PPL Park, Philadelphia
