Barrett, the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016, was forced to miss the third Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Brisbane last weekend because of concussion. He missed out on a rare defeat, but will be back in action for the games against the Barbarians, France, Scotland and Wales.
Steve Hansen has also selected four uncapped players in his 37-strong tour party. The 20-year-old Wellington hooker Asafo Aumua leads the new quartet and he is joined by Tasman prop Tim Perry, North Harbour wing Matt Duffie and Northland midfielder Jack Goodue.
Brodie Retallick is staying at home on compassionate grounds, world class wing Julian Savea has been overlooked, the experienced Jerome Kaino is recalled and there is also a return for Crusaders and Taranaki utility back Seta Tamanivalu.
As well as Rettlick, others not considered for selection include hooker Liam Coltman, props Owen Franks and Joe Moody and outside backs Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith.
Hansen has given skipper Kieran Read, hooker Dane Coles, prop Wyatt Crockett, lock Sam Whitelock and centres Sonny Bill Williams and Anton Lienert-Brown some extra time at home and they won’t be joining up with the party until the day before the opening match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday, 4 November.
“This tour, with the Barbarians game and the second French game, gives us the opportunity to play someone like Asafo Aumua,” said Hansen, who is expecting big things from the young hooker who played against Wales at the 2016 Under 20 Junior World Championships in Manchester.
“Rather than being an apprentice, he gets to play – he’s pretty special, so we’ll see where he goes. We’ll just do what we do with every new All Black – make sure he’s ready to go.
“How much time he gets will depend on how ready he is. He seems a pretty mature young man, he’s been playing well, and now he gets an opportunity to spend time and learn from three good hookers.
“He dominates when he carries, and everything he does, he does really, really well and stands out. That’s not normal for a 20-year-old, so when you see that it’s not too hard to reward it.”
Hansen has also invited five additional players to join the squad following their appearances for the Barbarians against the All Blacks. They are Otago flanker Dillon Hunt, Waikato prop Atu Molu, Canterbury halves Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga and two-test lock Dominic Bird.
ALL BLACKS NOVEMBER TOUR SQUAD
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Dane Coles (Wellington), Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty), Codie Taylor (Canterbury)
Props: Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Kane Hames (Tasman), Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau), Tim Perry (Tasman), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Wellington), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland)
Locks: Scott Barrett (Taranaki), Luke Romano (Canterbury), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury)
Loose Forwards: Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Kieran Read (Counties Manukau, captain), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Liam Squire (Tasman), Matt Todd (Canterbury)
Half Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Aaron Smith (Manawatu)
First Five-Eighths: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Lima Sopoaga (Southland)
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty (Canterbury), Jack Goodhue (Northland), Ngani Laumape (Manawatu), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau)
Outside Backs: David Havili (Tasman), Matt Duffie (North Harbour), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki)
MATCH SCHEDULE
Saturday, 4 November: v Barbarians, Twickenham
Saturday, 11 November: v France, Stade de France
Tuesday, 14 November: v France XV, Lyon
Saturday, 18 November: v Scotland, Murrayfield Stadium
Saturday, 25 November: v Wales, Principality Stadium
