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Four Hurricanes named in All Blacks squad

New cap Ardie Savea one of four Canes in All Blacks

Openside Ardie Savea is one of six new caps and five Hurricanes in the first All Blacks squad of 2016.

Savea, his older brother and wing Julian, first five Beauden Barrett, and hooker Dane Coles have been named in the 32-man squad to play Wales in next month's Steinlager Series, while halfback TJ Perenara has been included as a replacement player.

Savea's selection comes on the back of an outstanding season to date for the Hurricanes and three years after he was taken on the All Blacks end of year tour to Europe as a development player in 2013.

Ardie joins his brother Julian and, should he take the field against Wales, they would become the 44th set of brothers to have worn the famous black jersey.

Perenara was not named in the full 32 man All Blacks squad with the selectors picking just two halfbacks in Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow, but the Wellingtonian has assembled with the squad as one of two "replacement players" along with Highlanders lock Tom Franklin.

Perenara and Franklin provide cover for Kerr-Barlow and Sam Whitelock, who are both carrying minor injuries into the international window.

The other new All Blacks the 2016 squad are Blues prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi;  Highlanders loose forwards Elliot Dixon and Liam Squire;  and Chiefs teammates Damian McKenzie and Seta Tamanivalu.

Not considered for selection due to injury was Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "The selectors would like to congratulate all players selected, especially the new All Blacks and those returning to the squad - they and their families can be very proud. We'd also like to congratulate Kieran and Ben on their respective appointments as Captain and Vice-Captain."

Hansen also said the team was really energised by the challenges they would face this season.

"We know that there's been a lot of interest around the selection of this first All Blacks squad of 2016, after what was a great season for us last year, and with a large group of experienced players moving on.

"Many people, including our opponents, may be thinking we're vulnerable and are rebuilding. However, we don't have that mindset. We, as selectors, are very confident that we have both the talent and the experience to continue enhancing the legacy of the All Blacks," he said.

"It's often said that when the tall trees that cast the largest shadows are cut down, the remaining smaller trees grow more rapidly. We believe we'll see players stand tall and take their game to a higher standard this season.

"This group of players, I can assure you, is very excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for them. They know it's their time, their moment, and they can't wait to make their mark in the jersey," Hansen added.

"We're well aware that what we did yesterday will not be enough for today, so we'll be looking to raise the bar to an even higher level from where we've been. This is our challenge - one, I must say, we're really looking forward to getting stuck into."

The makeup of the squad sees 18 forwards selected (three hookers, five props, four locks and six loose forwards) and 14 backs (two halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and five outside backs) with an average age of 25.

The squad is made up of four Hurricanes players, eight Chiefs, four Blues, nine Crusaders and seven Highlanders while 11 of New Zealand's provinces are represented with three from Wellington, two each from Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, eight Canterbury players, five from Auckland, four from Taranaki, two each from Southland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato, and one player from Tasman and Otago.

The All Blacks squad assembled in Auckland today to prepare for the first Test against Wales at Eden Park on Saturday 11 June. The second Test is at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday 18 June, with the third and final Test at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday 25 June. The Wellington Test will be an historic occasion: it will be the first time the All Blacks have played Wales in the capital city.

The All Blacks and Wales have a rivalry dating back to 1905 and have played each other 30 times, with 27 wins to New Zealand and three wins to the Welsh. The two teams last met in November 2014 in Cardiff, with the All Blacks winning 34-16.

The All Blacks 32-man squad to play Wales in the three test Steinlager Series is:

Forwards

Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington, 36 Tests)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, four Tests)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty, two Tests)

Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 45 Tests)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 33 Tests)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, 78 Tests)
Joe Moody (Canterbury, 11 Tests)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland, new cap)

Locks
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay, 47 Tests)
Luke Romano (Canterbury, 22 Tests)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, seven Tests)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 73 Tests)

Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 31 Tests)
Elliot Dixon (Southland, new cap)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 67 Tests)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 84 Tests)
Ardie Savea (Wellington, new cap)
Liam Squire (Tasman, new cap)

Backs

Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato, 20 Tests)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 47 Tests)

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 36 Tests)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 37 Tests)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland, one Test)

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 15 Tests)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 13 Tests)
Charlie Ngatai (Taranaki, one Test)
Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki, new cap)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay, 49 Tests)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato, new cap)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, three Tests)
Julian Savea (Wellington, 41 Tests)
Ben Smith (Otago, 48 Tests)

Replacement players: TJ Perenara (Wellington, 17 caps), Tom Franklin (Otago, 0 caps)

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