B-Blacks head to South Africa
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has chosen to rest many of his top players as he named a 25-man squad on Friday to travel to South Africa for the Tri-Nations Test in Port Elizabeth on August 20.
Skipper Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter have been given a breather after the All Blacks’ 30-14 win over Australia last weekend, along with Conrad Smith, Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina, Owen Franks, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Kieran Read.
The squad is made up of 13 forwards and 12 backs and will be captained by 84-Test hooker Keven Mealamu.
Israel Dagg (fullback), Richard Kahui (centre), Tony Woodcock (prop) and Isaia Toeava (utility back) all return from injury.
Henry said the Test was a chance for players to press their case for selection ahead of the World Cup, which begins in Auckland next month.
“There is real excitement amongst the squad,” he said.
“We have players returning from injury who will be playing for the All Blacks for the first time this year, while others will be looking to take the opportunity to stake a further claim in the black jersey and ensure selection in the World Cup.
“So we will have a team which is hungry to play well.”
Henry dismissed the notion that he had given up on winning in PE, adding: “As with any All Blacks side, the coaches and players set high expectations and the squad which is heading to South Africa is no different.”
The squad leaves for South Africa on Saturday.
However, Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford will stay home an extra day to play for Hawke’s Bay in their NPC match against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Saturday, and travel to South Africa on Sunday.
* Lock Jarrad Hoeata is having a scan on his injured right shoulder later and a decision on whether he is fit to travel to South Africa will be made then.
Tom Donnelly has joined the All Blacks squad as injury cover.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said: “Jarrad hurt his right shoulder in Taranaki’s NPC match against Bay of Plenty on Tuesday and while he took part in All Blacks training [on Thursday], it was causing him enough concern to warrant further examination.
“He will get a scan in Auckland and we will then be able to assess how serious it is.”
In the interim, Donnelly, who has played 15 Tests for his country, will train with the All Blacks squad.
New Zealand squad:
Forwards: John Afoa (Auckland), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Canterbury), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (captain, Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Adam Thomson (Otago), Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Victor Vito (Wellington).
Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Cory Jane (Wellington), Ma’a Nonu (Auckland), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Auckland), Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury).
