Rugby: Highlanders get two more players in ABs

Lima Sopoaga. Photo by Getty
Lima Sopoaga. Photo by Getty
The Highlanders have capped a great weekend by getting two more players into the All Blacks.

Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo have been named in the 41-strong squad.

Sopoaga's superb form over the past two seasons at first five-eighth has been recognised with his elevation to a group including Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.

Naholo, who broke the franchise record for tries in a season last night, joins Nehe Milner-Skudder as a new wing option.

Naholo had signed to play in France after this season but his sizzling form has led to an All Black call-up, and that is likely to mean he remains with the Highlanders.

Star back trio Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa are the other Highlanders in the All Black squad.

There are no Highlanders forwards in the squad. Liam Coltman has been pipped by Codie Taylor for a hooking spot, and rising loose forward Elliot Dixon did not get a fairytale call-up.

The other newcomer is Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst.

Squad, with caps in parenthese:

Hookers
Dane Coles - Hurricanes / Wellington (27)
Hikawera Elliot - Chiefs / Poverty Bay (3)
Keven Mealamu - Blues / Auckland (123)
Codie Taylor - Crusaders / Canterbury *

Props
Wyatt Crockett - Crusaders / Canterbury (27)
Charlie Faumuina - Blues / Auckland (20)
Ben Franks - Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay (31)
Owen Franks - Crusaders / Canterbury (57)
Joe Moody - Crusaders / Canterbury (8)
Tony Woodcock - Blues /North Harbour (110)

Locks
James Broadhurst - Hurricanes / Taranaki *
Brodie Retallick - Chiefs / Bay of Plenty (36)
Luke Romano - Crusaders / Canterbury (17)
Jeremy Thrush - Hurricanes / Wellington (11)
Samuel Whitelock - Crusaders / Canterbury (62)

Loose forwards
Sam Cane - Chiefs / Bay of Plenty (22)
Jerome Kaino - Blues /Auckland (56)
Richie McCaw (captain) - Crusaders / Canterbury (137)
Liam Messam - Chiefs / Waikato (40)
Kieran Read - Crusaders / Canterbury (72)
Matt Todd - Crusaders / Canterbury (2)
Victor Vito - Hurricanes / Wellington (26)

Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow - Chiefs / Waikato (15)
TJ Perenara - Hurricanes / Wellington (11)
Aaron Smith - Highlanders / Manawatu (38)

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett - Hurricanes / Taranaki (28)
Daniel Carter - Crusaders / Canterbury (102)
Colin Slade - Crusaders /Canterbury (17)
Lima Sopoaga - Highlanders / Southland *

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty - Crusaders / Canterbury (13)
Malakai Fekitoa - Highlanders / Auckland (8)
Ma'a Nonu - Hurricanes / Wellington (94)
Conrad Smith - Hurricanes / Wellington (85)
Sonny Bill Williams - Chiefs / Counties Manukau (23)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg - Crusaders /Hawke's Bay (46)
Cory Jane - Hurricanes / Wellington (48)
Nehe Milner-Skudder - Hurricanes / Manawatu *
Waisake Naholo - Highlanders / Taranaki *
Charles Piutau - Blues /Auckland (14)
Julian Savea - Hurricanes / Wellington (33)
Ben Smith - Highlanders / Otago (38)

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