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Steve Hansen names new faces in All Blacks squad

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen rings the changes as he calls up five new faces for the July 8 Test against Samoa.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has called up five uncapped players to an extended All Blacks squad for the clash with Samoa on July 8.

The one-off Test against Samoa comes just four days after the Super Rugby final.

Hansen has selected Wellington Hurricanes pair Nehe Milner Skudder and James Broadhurst, Otago Highlanders duo Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo, and Codie Taylor of the Canterbury Crusaders as the new faces in his 41-man squad.

Both the Hurricanes and the Highlanders could feature in the Super Rugby final if they win their respective semi-finals next weekend.

"We have selected a large squad of 41 players, partly through necessity, with two New Zealand teams still involved in the Super Rugby competition," Hansen told reporters.

"But, more importantly, it also gives us the chance to work with some athletes we haven't worked with before and see how they cope at Test level.

"This will allow us to make better decisions when it comes to selecting our rugby World Cup team in August."

New Zealand's 31-man squad for the World Cup is due to be confirmed on August 30.

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