I believe the announcement is at 5.30pm.
Razor will pick them but I have excluded Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett because they have been playing overseas and both have had one `token’ club game each. That is not good enough for me.
Fullbacks: Shaun Stevenson, Reuben Love
Wings: Reiko Ioane, Caleb Clark, Mark Telea, Sevu Reece
Midfield: Anton Liernart Brown, Jordie Barrett, David Havilli,
First 5’s: Damien McKenzie, Harry Plummer
Half Backs: Cortez Ratima, Findlay Christie, Folau Fakatava
Loose Forwards: Hoskins Sotutu, Wallace Sititi, Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papalii, Samipeni Finau,
Locks: Scot Barrett (Captain) Sione Tuipulotu (vice Captain), Sam Darry, Tupou Vai, Fabian Holland
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrell Lomax, Fletcher Newall, Tamati Williams, Ofa Tu’uangafasi
Hookers: Cody Taylor, Samisoni Taukeaho, Asofa Amua
Cam Roigaard and Will Jordan were not considered due to injury, there will be others I cannot think of at the moment except to say it would not surprise me if Tuipulotu is another. If he is either Luke Jacobson or Quinton Strange will come in.
You will also note I have Reiko Ioane back on the wing – to me is a poor impersonator of a midfield back.
Harry Plummer gets in based on the last two games and is the best goalkicker available – he is also competent at 12 and I think versatility will be a requirement in this squad.
If Savea and B Barrett are selected then Rueben Love and Wallace Sititi miss out.
Who would you select?
Sione Tuipulotu is Patrick Tuipulotu?
Beauden Barrett will make the team as fullback or fullback and 1st 5/8 cover. Beggars can’t be choosers here as Razor not going to pick two newbies as the only fullbacks. Reiko Ioane would be one of the first names on the sheet in the midfield.
Drop Havilli for Plummer.
Samisoni Taukeaho injured so Riccitelli instead.
Oops re Tuipuloto.
I think BB is getting past his use by date but will be in.
As for newbies – if Razor is secure in the job he may start looking ahead to 2026 RWC in which case Noah Hotham may come in for either Christie or Fakatava and Sititi may head off Finau or Blackadder.
Two things Razor has that Foster and maybe even Hansen did not is flair and trust in his instincts.