Veteran lock Brodie Retallick and experienced utility back David Havili were on Monday named in the New Zealand squad for the World Cup, despite injury and fitness concerns.

Retallick, who has won 103 Test caps, went off in the first half of Saturday’s 23-20 home win over Australia with a knee injury, but was included in the 33-man squad for the World Cup in France beginning next month.

Havili had been sidelined with a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the last rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season and 2023 Rugby Championship.

The All Blacks face the Springboks in a warm-up match in London on 25 August with their opening World Cup match against hosts France in Paris on 8 September. New Zealand will also play Italy, Namibia and Uruguay in Pool A.

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Full All Blacks squad:

Forwards
Props: Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax.
Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Tupou Vaa’i.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i.

Backs
Scrumhalves: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard.
Flyhalves: Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie.
Centres: Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili.
Wings: Mark Telea, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa.
Fullbacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Sanka Vidanagama/AFP