All Black coach SteveHansen on Monday named a training squad of 35 players who will prepare for the June Tests against England with camps in Christchurch and Wellington over the next few weeks. 2014 Super Rugby up and comers Tuipulotu and Fekitoa are among five uncapped players in the group.
Tuipulotu, at only 21 years, measures in at 1.98m and weighing 120 kilos. It appears that he has leapfrogged Wellington’s Jeremy Thrush in the national pecking order.
Fekitoa, 22, has made the most of his lifeline at the Highlanders having received no love at his home-town Blues. The Aucklander has been a powerful presence in midfield and has shown the ability to beat defenders with both pace and power and has been solid on defence.
The other uncapped players to be included in the group that will be whittled down to 31 to face the English are hookers Liam Coltman (Highlanders) and Nathan Harris (Chiefs) and halfback TJ Perenara, though the Hurricanes No 9 was a regular squad member last year.
Among the more interesting omissions are Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna – said to be the target of French clubs, as well as the Tongan national team — Hurricanes front-rower Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Crusaders utility back Tom Taylor and Canes loose forward Brad Shields.
Hansen was limited to a squad of 35 and said there were several players already on the radar who were not attending the camps.
Hookers: Keven Mealamu (Blues), Nathan Harris (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes) and Liam Coltman (Highlanders).
Props: Charlie Faumuina and Tony Woodcock (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes) and Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks (Crusaders).
Locks: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Jeremy Thrush * (Hurricanes) and Dominic Bird and Sam Whitelock (Crusaders).
Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua (Blues), Sam Cane and Liam Messam (Chiefs), Victor Vito (Hurricanes) and Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Luke Whitelock * (Crusaders).
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) and Aaron Smith (Highlanders).
Five-eighths: Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) and Colin Slade (Crusaders).
Midfielders: Ma’a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) and Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders).
Outside backs: Cory Jane and Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Crusaders) and Ben Smith (Highlanders).
* Thrush will attend the Wellington camp only; Luke Whitelock will participate in only the Christchurch camp.