Crusaders workhorse Jordan Taufua is congratulated on his All Black call-up by Steve Hansen.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named three new faces into his 33-man squad to play France in three home tests next month.

Crusaders flanker Jordan Taufua, Highlanders flanker Shannon Frizell and Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi have all earned call-ups to the national team after impressive Super Rugby campaigns.

Hansen made special mention of the three new All Blacks.

GETTY IMAGES Midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Jack Goodhue were opponents on Saturday night but teammates by Sunday morning.

"It's always a very special time being selected for the All Blacks for the first time and the players and their families can be justifiably proud of all the hard work they have done to reach this point.

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Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock has been named as captain in the absence of the injured Kieran Read.

GETTY IMAGES Sam Whitelock will captain the All Blacks against France in next month's three-test home series.

"He's one half of the best locking combination in the world and one of the best players on and off the park. He has a cool head under pressure and the support of the players and management.

"In saying that, we're blessed with a number of other leaders in our group and the expectations are that they'll continue to lead both on and off the park in their actions, and in doing so make Sam's job that little bit easier."

Hansen said there was plenty of competition for spots in the 33-man squad.

"It was a really tough squad to select, more so because there are some very talented players who have missed out, but I'm sure they will get their opportunity in the black jersey in the near future."

Of the unlucky ones, Hurricanes winger Ben Lam and Blues loose forward Akira Ioane are the most notable omissions.

Lam has been in blistering form for the Hurricanes but looks to have lost out to the experience and versatility of teammate Nehe Milner-Skudder.

PHOTOSPORT Blues winger Rieko Ioane has predictably been named but his brother Akira is one of the unlucky ones to miss out.

The none selection of Ioane will raise a few eyebrows but - with so much competition for the loose forward places in the squad - there was always going to be controversy around who was left out.

"We'll look to continue to grow our player depth and expose more players to our environment and Test rugby, help them improve and enhance their game fundamentals, and in doing so, create consistent, ingrained habits that will hold up under the greatest of pressures, which is test rugby," Hansen said.

GETTY IMAGES All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said the 33-man squad was tough to select because there was so much competition for spots.

Hansen is expecting nothing to come easy against France.

"Whilst they're at the end of their season, many of their players haven't played a lot of rugby through injury, so they'll be a lot fresher than they'd normally be, for this campaign.

"Our preparation will need to be both smart and bone-deep if we're to combat this French team, who'll come with a strong belief and commitment. As history tells us, we'd be very foolish and naïve to underestimate their abilities."

The makeup of the squad sees a 17-16 forwards and backs split.

GETTY IMAGES Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is one of three new faces to be named in the 33-man squad.

Hansen and his fellow selectors have gone with two hookers, five props, three locks and seven loose forwards in the pack.

The backs are made up of three first five-eighths, five midfielders and five outside backs.

GETTY IMAGES Highlanders blindside flanker Shannon Frizell's standout start to the season has been rewarded with a call-up.

The first test against France is on June 9 at Eden Park.

Westpac Stadium in Wellington hosts the second test on June 16 with the third and final test of the series being played at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on June 23.

The All Blacks squad will remain in Auckland until Tuesday before going back to their Super Rugby sides.

They will assemble again in Christchurch between May 27 and May 29 before the final round of Super Rugby matches leading into the June test window and return to camp on June 3 in preparation for the first test.

AT A GLANCE

All Blacks squad:

Backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith (vc), Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Jordan Taufua, Sam Cane (vc), Vaea Fifita, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (c), Owen Franks, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Tim Perry, Joe Moody, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor.