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Codie Taylor to lead All Blacks for Bledisloe Cup series
Sport Nation • September 29th, 2026 2:30 pm
Codie Taylor | Photo: Photosport
Codie Taylor will lead a 34-strong All Blacks squad in the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies this October.
Head coach Dave Rennie and selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes have retained 31 players from the original 44-man squad seen during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the Sprinboks. Richie Mo’unga, who joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement, is also included.
Scott Barrett is back after recently returning to play for Taranaki in the NPC - the 89-Test lock last wore the black jersey in November against Wales. Shannon Frizell returns to the squad for the first time since 2023 following a stint in Japan and appearing for Tasman in the NPC.
Taranaki's Scott Barrett running out onto McLean Park | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Taylor previously captained the side for the first time in the fourth Test against South Africa in Baltimore. He said he was humbled to be asked to lead the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup, carrying the leadership while Ardie Savea is unavailable due to a shoulder injury.
"To lead this team is a massive honour, and I know I'm lucky to have a lot of good leaders around me who make that job easier. A special thank you also to my whānau for their support, none of this would be possible without them," Taylor said in a statement.
"Ardie has done an outstanding job for us this year and we're all gutted he's not with us. We'll be doing everything we can to make him proud.
"This group is hungry to show what we've learned so far this year. The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to every player in this squad, and there's nothing better than running out at Eden Park in front of a home crowd."
Josh Jacomb during the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' tour | Photo Ron Gaunt/Photosport
Josh Jacomb is the only squad member yet to earn a Test cap - the Chiefs first five-eighth played two franchise games during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Rennie said the three Nations Championship Tests at home and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour had given many players valuable experience ahead of the Bledisloe Cup challenge.
"We’ve learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey. Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place," Rennie said.
"It's great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell. Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we're thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards."
All Blacks 2026 Bledisloe Cup squad
Hookers: Codie Taylor (captain), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho.
Props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i.
Loose Forwards: Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston.
First Five-Eighths: Richie Mo'unga, Josh Jacomb.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.
Outside Backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.
Unavailable due to injury: Ruben Love (ankle), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder), Ollie Norris (knee).
2026 Bledisloe Cup Fixtures
- All Blacks vs Wallabies: 10 October at Eden Park, Auckland - kick-off 7:10pm
- Wallabies vs All Blacks: 17 October at Accor Stadium, Sydney - kick-off 6:00pm
All times are in NZDT.
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