Reece and Sotutu named in All Blacks squad for Rugby Championship while Bower included as injury cover

Sevu Reece and Hoskins Sotutu have been named in the 36 member All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship while George Bower will remain with the squad as injury cover for Joe Moody.

One of the key features of the squad is the return of 69-Test halfback TJ Perenara.

Props Ofa Tuungafasi and Joe Moody have also returned to the All Blacks.

125-Test lock Samuel Whitelock will again captain the All Blacks, in the absence of Sam Cane who is still recovering from chest surgery.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster says the recent series of matches against Fiji and Tonga gave them a great opportunity to grow some depth and experience and it also enabled them to re-establish some returning players.

Foster says the Bledisloe Cup plus the Rugby Championship are pinnacle challenges for them and remain as top priorities.

The All Blacks will have a two-day camp in Christchurch next week before assembling in Auckland for the pre-Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday 7th August.

The second Bledisloe Test is at Optus Stadium in Perth on 21st August, with the third at Sky Stadium in Wellington on 28th August.

Following the Bledisloe Cup Series, the All Blacks will then play four Tests in a row in September, with back-to-back Tests against Argentina, at Eden Park on 11th September and 18th September.

The All Blacks then head to Dunedin for the 100th Test between the All Blacks and South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 25th September with the team’s final Rugby Championship Test against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday 2nd October.

[Source: allblacks.com]