ALL BLACKS: Bolters, omissions and Savea joining later as Rennie names his squad for SA tour

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made his intentions clear ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa next month - selecting a 44 man squad that invests in physicality and versatility ahead of what he calls “the toughest tour in rugby.”

The expected physical toll of the four test tour - whose last test is to be played in Baltimore, USA - and the physicality of the South African teams has come into the selection picture, as Rennie retained all the players who were involved in the recent Nations’ Championship clashes against France, Italy and Ireland and included a few bolters of their own.

South African may find some of the faces new, but anyone watching Super Rugby will see it as a nod to big ball carrying forwards, and an expected physical onslaught the All Blacks will want to counter when they get to South Africa.