From left: Jona Nareki, Pita Gus Sowakula and Isaiah Walker-Leawere

Former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula is still in the hunt for a call up to the main squad after he was named in the All Blacks 15s to play Japan next month.

Sowakula, Highlanders winger Jona Nareki and Hurricanes lock Isaiah Walker-Leawere all made the cut.

Hoskins Sotutu didn’t make the All Blacks and All Blacks 15s squads.

The 30-strong squad was selected by the All Blacks coaching team of Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan for the 2023 Challenge Cup against Japan XV and Brave Blossoms.

The squad includes nine players with Test experience including Sowakula, Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Akira Ioane, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Brett Cameron and Jack Goodhue.

Following their inaugural Northern tour last year, Leon MacDonald has again been named as All Blacks XV Head Coach alongside Assistant Coaches Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.

The team will face Japan 15 on July 8th and Brave Blossoms a week later.