New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has selected Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker for his first All Blacks appearance in the Rugby Championship squad announced Monday, August 4.
The 120kg forward will make his test debut after an outstanding Super Rugby Pacific season, with an injury possibly delaying his initial selection following the recent series victory over France.
Also read: Rieko Ioane, All Blacks wing, ruled out of third France rugby Test due to injury
Robertson named the squad for upcoming test matches against Argentina, South Africa and Australia, beginning with the Pumas on August 16 in Cordoba.
All Blacks add three Highlanders players to Rugby Championship squad
The All Blacks coach included three Highlanders players in his Rugby Championship selection: veteran prop Ethan de Groot, lock Fabian Holland and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Parker's selection follows his established development pathway through New Zealand rugby systems. He represented New Zealand Secondary Schools before joining the New Zealand Under 20 team in 2019, according to RNZ reports.
The Chiefs representative has played professionally since 2020, competing for Waikato and most recently the Northland Taniwha in the Bunnings NPC. He was selected for the All Blacks XV in 2024.
Rugby Championship squad features injury cover selections
Robertson named several players as injury cover for the All Blacks Rugby Championship campaign. Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston joins Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo and Chiefs wing Leroy Carter as potential replacements.
Also read: Ruben Love shock selection, rising star lands first start in All Blacks' bold shake-up for France clash
Experienced All Blacks Josh Lord, George Bower and Finlay Christie complete the injury cover selections.
Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi have returned from injury after missing the tests against France.
Several key players will not travel to Argentina while recovering from injuries, including Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke.
All Blacks coach praises Parker's Rugby Championship selection
Robertson expressed confidence in Parker's readiness for international rugby.
"Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with," Robertson said. "He has the ability to play blindside or No 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up."
The coach acknowledged disappointment over injured players while recognizing opportunities for newcomers.
"While we are clearly disappointed for our men who are currently recovering from injuries, that has also created opportunities for a number of deserving players… these players have earned the opportunity through consistent performance, and we know that they will take this chance," Robertson said.
Also read: Scott Barrett, All Blacks captain, ruled out of France series
Rugby Championship schedule features six All Blacks matches
The All Blacks will face challenging opponents across the Rugby Championship tournament.
"We have some massively exciting and challenging games ahead of us and we are looking forward to reassembling and getting to work, starting with two tests against a very strong Los Pumas side," Robertson said.
The Rugby Championship test match schedule includes:
Hookers
The 120kg forward will make his test debut after an outstanding Super Rugby Pacific season, with an injury possibly delaying his initial selection following the recent series victory over France.
Also read: Rieko Ioane, All Blacks wing, ruled out of third France rugby Test due to injury
Robertson named the squad for upcoming test matches against Argentina, South Africa and Australia, beginning with the Pumas on August 16 in Cordoba.
All Blacks add three Highlanders players to Rugby Championship squad
The All Blacks coach included three Highlanders players in his Rugby Championship selection: veteran prop Ethan de Groot, lock Fabian Holland and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Parker's selection follows his established development pathway through New Zealand rugby systems. He represented New Zealand Secondary Schools before joining the New Zealand Under 20 team in 2019, according to RNZ reports.
The Chiefs representative has played professionally since 2020, competing for Waikato and most recently the Northland Taniwha in the Bunnings NPC. He was selected for the All Blacks XV in 2024.
Rugby Championship squad features injury cover selections
Robertson named several players as injury cover for the All Blacks Rugby Championship campaign. Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston joins Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo and Chiefs wing Leroy Carter as potential replacements.
Also read: Ruben Love shock selection, rising star lands first start in All Blacks' bold shake-up for France clash
Experienced All Blacks Josh Lord, George Bower and Finlay Christie complete the injury cover selections.
Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi have returned from injury after missing the tests against France.
Several key players will not travel to Argentina while recovering from injuries, including Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke.
All Blacks coach praises Parker's Rugby Championship selection
Robertson expressed confidence in Parker's readiness for international rugby.
"Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with," Robertson said. "He has the ability to play blindside or No 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up."
The coach acknowledged disappointment over injured players while recognizing opportunities for newcomers.
"While we are clearly disappointed for our men who are currently recovering from injuries, that has also created opportunities for a number of deserving players… these players have earned the opportunity through consistent performance, and we know that they will take this chance," Robertson said.
Also read: Scott Barrett, All Blacks captain, ruled out of France series
Rugby Championship schedule features six All Blacks matches
The All Blacks will face challenging opponents across the Rugby Championship tournament.
"We have some massively exciting and challenging games ahead of us and we are looking forward to reassembling and getting to work, starting with two tests against a very strong Los Pumas side," Robertson said.
The Rugby Championship test match schedule includes:
- Sunday, August 16 at 9:10am - All Blacks v Argentina, Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Córdoba
- Sunday, August 23 at 9:10am - All Blacks v Argentina, Vélez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires
- Saturday, September 6 at 7:05pm - All Blacks v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
- Saturday, September 13 at 7:05pm - All Blacks v South Africa, Sky Stadium, Wellington
- Saturday, September 27 at 5:05pm - All Blacks v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
- Saturday, October 4 at 10:45pm - All Blacks v Australia, Optus Stadium, Perth
Hookers
- Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders/Canterbury, 98 caps)
- Samisoni Taukei'aho (27, Chiefs/Waikato, 33 caps)
- Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs/Canterbury, 1 cap)
- Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders/Southland, 32 caps)
- Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders/Canterbury, 18 caps)
- Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs/Waikato, 2 caps)
- Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes/Tasman, 45 caps)
- Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders/Canterbury, 25 caps)
- Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes/Bay of Plenty, 9 caps)
- Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders/Taranaki, 81 caps) - Captain
- Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues/Auckland, 55 caps)
- Tupou Vaa'i (25, Chiefs/Taranaki, 40 caps)
- Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders/Otago, 3 caps)
- Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs/Waikato, 11 caps)
- Simon Parker (25, Chiefs/Northland, 0 caps) - New cap
- Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika/Wellington, 97 caps) - Vice-Captain
- Du'Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes/Wellington, 3 caps)
- Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs/North Harbour, 10 caps)
- Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes/Wellington, 3 caps)
- Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs/Waikato, 24 caps)
- Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs/Waikato, 14 caps)
- Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes/Counties Manukau, 12 caps)
- Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders/Tasman, 2 caps)
- Beauden Barrett (34, Blues/Taranaki, 136 caps)
- Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs/Waikato, 64 caps)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs/Waikato, 85 caps)
- Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes/Taranaki, 71 caps) - Vice-Captain
- Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs/Waikato, 16 caps)
- Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes/Wellington, 4 caps)
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders/Tasman, 2 caps)
- Rieko Ioane (28, Blues/Auckland, 83 caps)
- Caleb Clarke (26, Blues/Auckland, 29 caps)
- Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders/Southland, 34 caps)
- Emoni Narawa (26, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty, 3 caps)
- Will Jordan (27, Crusaders/Tasman, 44 caps)
- Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes/Wellington, 2 caps)
- George Bower (33, Crusaders/Otago, 23 caps) - covering Tamaiti Williams
- Tevita Mafileo (27, Hurricanes/Bay of Plenty, 0 caps) - covering Tyrel Lomax
- Josh Lord (24, Chiefs/Taranaki, 7 caps) - covering Luke Jacobson
- Finlay Christie (29, Blues/Tasman, 23 caps) - covering halfbacks
- Kyle Preston (25, Crusaders/Wellington, 0 caps) - covering halfbacks
- Leroy Carter (26, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty, 0 caps) - covering Caleb Clarke
