Junior All Blacks

Updated on Oct 04, 2024

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Emblem(s) Silver fern Top scorer Stephen Donald (59) Location New Zealand		Most caps Anthony Tuitavake (13) Captain Tamati Ellison Coaches Colin Cooper, Ian Foster

Most tries Hosea Gear Anthony Tuitavake (8) Union New Zealand national rugby union team

The Junior All Blacks are a New Zealand rugby union team. The Junior All Blacks are not an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby union team. For all intents and purposes, they are the "New Zealand A" team.

The present team is actually the second incarnation of the Junior All Blacks. The first team was an age grade side, being players under 23 years old (U23), and played between 1958 and 1984. Additionally, the team played a tour match, as New Zealand A, against visiting England in 1998. The team was reintroduced and repurposed in 2006.

They competed in the inaugural Pacific Nations Cup alongside Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga. In 2007 Australia A joined the competition. They are currently coached by Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

Current Squad

Squad for the 2009 IRB Pacific Nations Cup:

Craig Clarke and John Schwalger called up to the squad as cover for Owen Franks and Bryn Evans after they were called up to the full squad, Clarke takes Evans place as he took his All Black place permanently.

Stephen Brett takes McAlister's place after he was called up to the senior squad.

Alando Soakai was also brought into the squad as Karl Lowe went on temporary paternity leave.

James McGougan was called up as cover for an eye injury to Jamie Mackintosh. If Mackintosh is able to play he will rejoin the squad.

Alby Mathewson did not travel to Samoa because of a shoulder injury, he will re-join the squad if he re-covers. Sean Romans takes his place.

Lelia Masaga also called up to the full squad and was replaced by Callum Bruce. Ged Robinson was called up as cover for Aled de Malmanche who was called up to the All Blacks. George Whitelock was additionally called up by the All Blacks, as Karl Lowe returns to the squad.

Jason Macdonald was called into the squad to replace Ged Robinson, who was feeling unwell.

Head Coach: Colin Cooper, Ian Foster

Caps Updated: 8 July 2015

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

References

Junior All Blacks Wikipedia

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