Five uncapped players were included in the All Blacks 35-man training squad named Monday, ahead of the three-Test series against England in June.
The squad, which will be whittled down to 31 on 1 June, also marks the return of Jerome Kaino to All Blacks consideration – while flyhalf Dan Carter is a notable omission as he continues a sabbatical before returning to the game in August.
Blindside flank Kaino, now back in New Zealand with the Blues, last played for the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup Final victory against France before moving to Japan.
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With Carter unavailable, his 2011 World Cup understudy Colin Slade earns a call up along with Aaron Cruden, the Chiefs playmaker who has been out since early April with a broken thumb injury.
New faces include hookers Nathan Harris and Liam Coltman, lock Patrick Tuipulotu and centre Malakai Fekitoa – along with scrumhalf TJ Perenara, who was an All Black squad member last year, but has not played a Test.
Lock Luke Romano and fullback Charles Piutau were not considered after suffering long-term leg injuries on the weekend.
Coach Steve Hansen said with the training group limited to 35 there were several players whom the All Blacks management knew about who would not be attending the camps to be held on May 18 to 20 and 25 to 27.
He added that the two camps would once again form a massive part of the team’s preparations for the June series against England.
“The camps also give the All Blacks management time to meet and learn in greater details about some of the younger players who have been named,” Hansen said.
“With players coming from five different Super Rugby teams, it’s important that we get aligned on our game plans and skill sets.”
“The challenge the English bring means we will need to be at our very best as quickly as possible.”
New Zealand training squad:
- Hookers: Keven Mealamu (Blues), Nathan Harris (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes) and Liam Coltman (Highlanders).
- Props: Charlie Faumuina and Tony Woodcock (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes) and Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks (Crusaders).
- Locks: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes) and Dominic Bird and Sam Whitelock (Crusaders).
- Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua (Blues), Sam Cane and Liam Messam (Chiefs), Victor Vito (Hurricanes) and Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Luke Whitelock (Crusaders).
- Scrumhalves: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) and Aaron Smith (Highlanders).
- Flyhalves: Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) and Colin Slade (Crusaders).
- Midfielders: Ma’a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) and Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders).
- Outside backs: Cory Jane and Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Crusaders) and Ben Smith (Highlanders).
(Thrush will be attending the Wellington camp only and Luke Whitelock the Christchurch camp)
New Zealand’s mid-year schedule:
- 7 June: v England; Eden Park, Auckland
- 14 June: v England; Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
- 21 June: v England; Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
posted this on another thread, but it belongs here
still a glaring weakness at hooker, and feel our prop stocks arent great, Crockett? meh, Toomaga Allen might have been a better investment imo but our locking stocks (Tuiputo an exciting prospect), loosies and HB positions have some great depth coming through. Bryn hall another good halfback. Backline is as expected, quality throughout, and good to see Fekitoa there, hope he soaks up as much of Conrads knowledge as he can possibly glean. Hoping Cruden gets a game or two before the series, not sure when he’s back. But would not be unhappy with Barrett starting.
cant wait for this series,
@ nga puhi:
Strange that the NZ selectors don’t rate Flynn.
I’ve always thought he was quite decent, but got untimely injuries.
Now he is going in any case.
Coles looks quite a bright prospect
isnt it possible that coles is one of the form hookers of the competition?
MacroBull wrote:
In my mind he is the stand out hooker.
Similar to Deon Fourie around the park and getting involved, but at least he can do the basics required for a hooker as well
@ nortierd:
He was too light last season but looks to have bulked up a bit this season, one of the reasons he’s performing.
@ nga puhi:
As you know Pops if we can sort out the Poms it’ll be 17 straight victories, some big targets for Hansen’s boys this year.
@ NZINCHINA:
He is playing well, and the Hurricanes’ game plan and way of playing suits him.
You shouldn’t have any problems with the Poms.
They will probably send over a combination of an A and B side and use that as an excuse for getting pummeled
NZINCHINA wrote:
what worries me is if they do get to that number, we will likely face Aussie in the 18th and they seem to have this annoying habit of stopping us. basterauds!!
@ nga puhi:
Sydney 2014 going to bring heartache to the Blacks
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