‘Absolutely stoked' is the feeling of Bay of Plenty's latest All Black Aidan Ross.

Ross has been selected for the upcoming 2022 Steinlager Series at the All Black's recent squad naming on Monday, June 13.

'It was pretty amazing to be selected. You write goals down at the start of each year and to be able to tick them off is real pleasing, and a proud moment for me and my family,” says Ross.

'My family was very stoked. They were all parked up in Tauranga watching the livestream, I wasn't able to be with them but they were very happy.

The 26-year-old prop says it has been a goal to make the All Blacks team for a long time.

'I think it's the goal of every young rugby player to be an All Black one day. It's great to be able to make the squad.

'The next thing now is to try and strive for a test jersey.”

Aidan says him and the newly announced All Blacks squad is 'pumped as” about gearing up to 'test the luck of the Irish' in the three test Steinlager Series against Ireland, a team that has became an increasing threat since the All Blacks had their first defeat against them in the 2016 Autumn International in Soldier Field, Chicago.

Since then, Ireland has been alternating wins and losses against New Zealand, so the upcoming three test matches will feature some very competitive games.

Ross says the All Black preparation for the series involves a gym and field session each day, as current Blues and Crusaders squads are preparing for their upcoming Super Rugby Pacific final this weekend.

'We come in during the morning and hit the gym and have a field session each day, and once next week hits all the other players will be joining.

'It's only day one so far, so I'm sure there's a bit more training to do in the coming weeks.

'We're real excited. It's going to be a huge series, we've got three games against Ireland in our home country. We get to all play in front of our family and friends. It's going to be wicked.

'I'm sure the Irish players are pretty keen to get over here as well, so it's going to be some real quality games.”

Although Ireland has been playing together as a squad coming out of Six Nations in March, Ross says the All Blacks are 'pretty match fit too” after finishing the Super Rugby campaign.

'We all want to play every game as if it's our best game. The beauty of this series is that there is three games, so there can only be one winner at the end of it.”

When Ross isn't on the pitch, he says he likes to enjoy fishing, diving and 'getting out for a hunt” when he can to unwind. Although he is based in Hamilton playing for the Chiefs, he still calls Bay of Plenty home and returns to play for the Steamers.

Aidan made his Chiefs debut in 2017 playing against Western Force, and says that young Bay of Plenty rugby players should 'keep at it” and persevere if they want to take a similar path.

Ross isn't the only Bay of Plenty rugby star being named for a national team this week, as forward Josh Bartlett and back Lucas Cashmore, who are both Chiefs players, were also announced for the New Zealand Under 20 squad on Tuesday, June 14.

The three match 2022 Steinlager Series kicks off on Saturday, July 2, where the team will play against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland.

Following matches will be played on Saturday, July 9, at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and Saturday July 16 at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

For more information on the upcoming 2022 Steinlager Series and the All Blacks' preparations, visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AllBlacks.