All Blacks name training squad for France tests

Winger Frank Halai has marked his first season in top-level rugby with inclusion in an enlarged All Blacks training squad to prepare for next month’s three-test series against France.

Halai, playing in his first Super Rugby season with the Auckland-based Blues, is the top try-scorer in the southern hemisphere tournament with eight tries after 13 rounds.

Halai’s Blues teammates, centre Francis Saili, fullback Charles Piutau and flanker Steven Luatua were also named Tuesday in All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s squad.

Hansen said the majority of the team that will play France will come from the squad, which will take part in two training camps later this month.