Fiji 4 Named in All Blacks Squad 

Four players of Fijian descent are in the All Blacks for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

In announcing the squad yesterday All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has included Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Noah Hotham.

He has included loosehead prop George Bower in the injury cover list.

But it was Simon Parker who is the big inclusion in the squad, with the 120kg loose forward set to make his test debut in the coming campaign. 

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

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

Emoni Narawa. Photo: All Blacks

Photo: All Blacks

Noah Hotham.

Photo: All Blacks

It was confirmed that Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke will not travel to Argentina for tests against the Pumas 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,” said Robertson.

“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.”

Timoci Tavatavnawai.

Photo: All Blacks

All Blacks Rugby Championship squad

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister; 

Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi; 

Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland; 

Loose Forwards: Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson; 

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Noah Hotham; 

First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie; 

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai; 

Outside Backs: Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Ruben Love. 

Injury Cover: George Bower, Tevita Mafileo, Josh Lord, Finlay Christie, Kyle Preston, Leroy Carter