More new faces in All Blacks squad, no room for Lio-Willie

Simon Parker has played for the Chiefs since 2020. Photo: Getty Images

Simon Parker is the big inclusion in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad, with the 120kg loose forward set to make his test debut.

Parker has been rewarded for an excellent Super Rugby Pacific season, with an untimely injury possibly delaying his call-up till after the recent series win over France.

His inclusion, alongside the return of previously injured duo Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai, meant there was no room for Otago No 8 Christian Lio-Willie.

Lio-Willie had started the first two tests against France, although returned to play for Otago against Southland on Saturday.

Head coach Scott Robertson this afternoon announced the squad for test matches against Argentina, South Africa and Australia which begin with the Pumas on August 16 in Cordoba.

Robertson has included three Highlanders: veteran prop Ethan de Groot, and new All Blacks lock Fabian Holland and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Otago prop George Bower was also included as injury cover.

Parker's ascension is in line with his career path. He was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools squad before being selected to the New Zealand Under 20 team in 2019, RNZ reports.

A Chiefs representative since 2020, he has played for Waikato and, most recently, the Northland Taniwha in the Bunnings NPC and was a member of the All Blacks XV in 2024.

Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston is in the frame for selection too, named as injury cover alongside Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo and Chiefs wing Leroy Carter. Experienced All Blacks Josh Lord, George Bower and Finlay Christie round out the injury cover selections.

All Blacks Timoci Tavatavanawai tries to fend off a tackle during the test against France in Hamilton last month. Photo: Getty Images

Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi have also returned from injury after missing the tests against France.

Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke will not travel to Argentina while they recover from injury.

"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 today.

"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.

"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.

"We are excited about what they will bring to the squad.

“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.”

- additional reporting Allied Media

All Blacks squad

The squad is as follows: (age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps)
* denotes new caps

Hookers
Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 98)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 33)
Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury, 1)

Props
Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders / Southland, 32)
Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18)
Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 2)
Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Tasman, 45)
Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 25)
Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 9)

Locks
Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 81) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 55)
Tupou Vaa’i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 40)
Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, 3)

Loose forwards
Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Simon Parker (25, Chiefs / Northland, *)
Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 97) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs / North Harbour, 10)
Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)

Halfbacks
Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 14)
Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 12)
Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)

First-five eighths
Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 136)
Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 64)

Midfielders
Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 85)
Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 71) (Vice-Captain)
Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 16)
Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Tasman, 2)

Outside backs
Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 83)
Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 34)
Emoni Narawa (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3)
Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 44)
Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2)

INJURY COVER

The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the Rugby Championship.

George Bower (33, Crusaders / Otago, 23) for Tamaiti Williams
Tevita Mafileo (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *) for Tyrel Lomax
Josh Lord (24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 7) for Luke Jacobson
Finlay Christie (29, Blues / Tasman, 23) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham
Kyle Preston (25, Crusaders / Wellington, *) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham
Leroy Carter (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *) for Caleb Clarke

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY
Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Asafo Aumua and Stephen Perofeta.