All Blacks name Bledisloe Cup squad with key absentees and returning stars

Experienced lock Patrick Tuipulotu is also on the injured list; Love due to an ankle ligament injury and Tuipulotu with a calf strain.

With first-choice skipper Ardie Savea also sidelined through injury, Rennie has appointed Codie Taylor as captain for New Zealand's clashes with Australia at Eden Park and the Accor Stadium on October 10 and 17 respectively.

Meanwhile, former captain Scott Barrett returns from injury for the All Blacks alongside Shannon Frizell who will rejoin the squad after returning from Japan and re-signing with New Zealand Rugby earlier this year.

Rennie and fellow selectors, Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes, have retained 31 of the players who were named in the original 44-man squad for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series as well as Richie Mo'unga, who joined the All Blacks in South Africa as an injury replacement.

Taylor is no stranger to the captaincy as he led the side in a Test for the first time when they faced South Africa in Baltimore.

Barrett's return comes after a lengthy stint on the sidelines that included a sabbatical and back surgery, following his recent return to National Provincial Championship (NPC) action with Taranaki.

Meanwhile, Frizell is back in the All Blacks set-up for the first time since 2023, having returned to New Zealand this year and appearing for Tasman in the NPC.

Fly-half Josh Jacomb, who made two appearances against South Africa's United Rugby Championship clubs during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour, is the only member of the squad who is uncapped at Test level.

Rennie believes the All Blacks' three home Nations Championship Tests - against France, Italy and Ireland - and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour had given several players valuable experience that would be vital against the Wallabies.

"Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour was great for us. We've learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey," he said.

"Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place.

"It's great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell. Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we're thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.?

"Congratulations also to Codie Taylor on the captaincy. Codie is a top man who has huge mana (spiritual energy). His leadership as tour captain was important for us during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie's absence.

"The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We've held it since 2003 and we don't take that for granted. Australia will be a real challenge. It's now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we're excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park."

Taylor said he was humbled to be asked to captain the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup.

"To lead this team is a massive honour, and I know I'm lucky to have a lot of good leaders around me who make that job easier," he revealed. "A special thank you also to my whanau (family) for their support, none of this would be possible without them.

"Ardie has done an outstanding job for us this year and we're all gutted he's not with us. We'll be doing everything we can to make him proud.

"This group is hungry to show what we've learned so far this year. The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to every player in this squad, and there's nothing better than running out at Eden Park in front of a home crowd."

New Zealand's squad will assemble in Auckland on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test.

All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe Cup

Forwards: Codie Taylor (c), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi

Backs: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Richie Mo'unga, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie