All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock will lead their respective slides for the upcoming North v South clash on August 29.
The squads for the virtual All Blacks trial have been announced, featuring a wide range of talent from across all five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.
National coach Ian Foster, who helped select the squads alongside Grant Fox and John Plumtree says the match is a chance for the players to be part of something very special.
"It's a once-in-a-generation match for them and players who have previously taken part in these matches have talked about how unique and memorable it was," Foster says.
"Now these two teams get to write their own history and stories around this match.
"The match will bring out the best in everyone and I'm sure there will be a parochial rivalry in spades.
"It's a special game because it celebrates where the players made their provincial debuts and, for some, where they really took those first steps in their professional careers.
"There's a huge amount of talent here and it will be a wonderful celebration of rugby for our fans."
The All Blacks Assistant Coaches will coach the two sides, with Plumtree and Scott McLeod coaching the North and Brad Mooar and Greg Feek coaching the South.
Foster says the appointments of Tuipulotu and Whitelock is a reward for two players who have been exceptional through Super Rugby Aotearoa.
"They will lead their sides with their own flavour as captains and are both proven and experienced leaders."
A number of players were unavailable for selection due to injury, including 2019 All Blacks Dane Coles, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane and Ngani Laumape.
The two squads will assemble in Wellington on Monday, but with the final venue for the match yet to be confirmed between Auckland's Eden Park and Wellington's SKY Stadium, Foster said the coaches and management weren't worried by the uncertainty.
"One thing about 2020 with COVID-19 is that you have to be nimble and agile and this week and next will be no different. We're adjusting and adapting, we'll look forward to getting to Wellington and getting stuck into our preparation," Foster says.
A final decision on the venue for the match will be made following the Government's review of COVID-19 Alert levels on Friday.
The squads have been selected based on the location of the province the players first played for.
NORTH SQUAD
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Ash Dixon (Hawke's Bay) and Kurt Eklund (Auckland).
Props: Alex Fidow (Wellington), Ayden Johnstone (Waikato), Angus Ta'avao (Auckland), Karl Tu'inukuafe (North Harbour) and Ofa Tuungafasi (Auckland).
Locks: Scott Scrafton (Auckland), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland and captain) and Tupou Vaa'i (Taranaki).
Loose forwards: Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Dalton Papalii (Auckland), Ardie Savea (Wellington) and Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland).
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara (Wellington), Aaron Smith (Manawatu) and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki).
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki).
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato) and Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington).
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Auckland), Mitchell Hunt (Auckland), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Sevu Reece (Waikato) and Mark Telea (North Harbour).
SOUTH SQUAD
Hookers: Liam Coltman (Otago), Andrew Makalio (Tasman) and Codie Taylor (Canterbury).
Props: George Bower (Otago), Alex Hodgman (Canterbury), Nepo Laulala (Canterbury), Tyrel Lomax (Tasman) and Joe Moody (Canterbury).
Locks: Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Southland) and Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury and captain).
Loose forwards: Tom Christie (Canterbury), Shannon Frizell (Tasman), Dillon Hunt (Otago), Reed Prinsep (Canterbury) and Tom Sanders (Canterbury).
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie (Tasman), Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury) and Brad Weber (Otago).
First five-eighths: Josh Ioane (Otago) and Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury).
Midfielders: Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), Leicester Faingaanuku (Tasman), Jack Goodhue (Canterbury) and Sio Tomkinson (Otago)
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett (Canterbury), George Bridge (Canterbury) and Will Jordan (Tasman).
