Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata is the only newcomer in a vastly experienced 30-man All Blacks' squad named on Sunday for the upcoming Tri Nations.
Hoeata's call-up, the selection of Colin Slade over Aaron Cruden to be Dan Carter's back-up at five-eighth, and the omission of 68-Test veteran Joe Rokocoko from the squad were the main talking points after the announcement in Auckland.
The squad, which will be captained by Richie McCaw, is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs and is big on experience with 1028 Test caps between them.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith also named four players as injury cover for Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle).
Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, Hurricanes winger Cory Jane, Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and Highlanders winger Ben Smith will assemble with the squad, but Henry said they were confident that the four injured players would play some part in the Tri-Nations.
NEW ZEALAND
John Afoa (Auckland) Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki) Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Richie McCaw (captain, Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (Auckland). Injury cover: Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Cory Jane (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Ben Smith (Otago).
