Loyalty and youth in All Blacks squad
New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen remained loyal to several out-of-form All Blacks and tapped nine promising newcomers in naming a training squad of 35 players.
The group, including 21 survivors from last year’s World Cup winning team, will attend two camps before a final squad is chosen on June 3 for the three home Tests against Ireland next month.
Hansen, who has said he valued the experience of established players capable of rising to the challenge of Test rugby, has included Piri Weepu and Ali Williams who have failed to fire this year for the Blues.
But he has also signalled the likelihood of new faces in his final All Blacks squad.
The training group includes six players from last year’s New Zealand under-20 side that won the world title, including captain Luke Whitelock who has only started twice for the Crusaders.
The most surprising selection is 20-year-old Ben Tameifuna who started the year as the backup prop for the Chiefs and is now their first choice tighthead selection while being eyed as a possible fill in hooker.
“In the wider training group we have a balance between proven Test players, in-form Super Rugby players and some talented young players,” Hansen said.
“We have two aims with the selection of the players for the camps. Our main aim is to begin to prepare a squad to win [the series] against Ireland.
“Secondly, it gives us the opportunity to introduce and work with some younger, talented players in the All Blacks environment.”
Players who were available from last year’s All Blacks but were not chosen include Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Cowan, Jarrad Hoeata and Corey Flynn.
Others who are injured or offshore are Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, Colin Slade, Stephen Donald, Jerome Kaino, Brad Thorn and Anthony Boric.
Dan Carter has been included although he continues to be troubled by the groin injury suffered in the World Cup with newcomer Beauden Barrett joining Aaron Cruden as the other flyhalves in the squad.
With Jimmy Cowan out of contention, Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow emerged as scrumhalf prospects along with the established Andy Ellis and Weepu.
Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick are two new locks who come into contention to challenge the misfiring Williams.
“We will use the time in the camps to work on some of the protocols, expectations and disciplines that are needed to succeed in the All Blacks, plus it will also give us a little bit of training time to work on some new things which we hope to bring in for the Tests against the Irish,” Hansen added
New Zealand squad:
Blues: Charlie Faumuina, Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs: Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna and Sonny Bill Williams.
Hurricanes: Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith and Victor Vito.
Crusaders: Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock and Samuel Whitelock.
Highlanders: Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.
