All Blacks Name Tour Squad

Coach Graham Henry has named five uncapped players in his 35-man New Zealand squad for next month’s four-match tour of the home nations.

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga talks to his players

Coach Graham Henry has named five uncapped players in his 35-man New Zealand squad for next month’s four-match tour of the home nations.

Utility back Isaia Toeava (Auckland), lock Jason Eaton (Taranaki), flanker Chris Masoe (Taranaki), lock/flanker Angus Macdonald (Auckland) and prop Neemia Tialata (Wellington) have all been included.

The All Blacks, winners of this year’s Lions Series and Tri Nations Series, play Wales (Millennium Stadium, Saturday, November 5), Ireland (Lansdowne Road, Saturday, November 12), England (Twickenham, Saturday, November 19) and Scotland (Murrayfield, Saturday, November 26) as they attempt an historic Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.

New Zealand have not lost to a home nation since England beat them 15-13 at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium in June 2003, while Wales ran them close – 25-26 – last November in Cardiff, the closest Ireland have come to beating the All Blacks in recent times was on the 2002 tour Down Under when Eddie O’Sullivan’s side lost 15-6 in Dunedin. Ronan O’Gara landed a penalty and Brian O’Driscoll dropped a goal for the visitors.

Coach Henry said: “Developing depth is part of our strategy going forward so it is good ti introduce five new players to the All Blacks.

“Isaia is a player who can play 10, 12, 13, wing or fullback, so he has huge utility value. When we come to World Cup time and are only permitted to pick 30 players, that utility value is going to be very important.

“With Angus and Chris we’ve picked a couple of new players who have, or are developing, broad skill sets. Both also have the ability to cover more than one position.”

Waikato flanker Marty Holah is a notable omission with the versatile Masoe taking his place in the squad, hooker Anton Oliver is back after missing the Tri Nations with a calf muscle injury while Taranaki man Andrew Hore comes in for injured hooker Derren Witcombe (neck).

Flanker Jonno Gibbes also misses out with a foot injury.

The All Blacks leave for the Northern Hemisphere next Thursday.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD TO TOUR BRITAIN AND IRELAND:

John Afoa (Auckland), Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Rico Gear (Nelson Bays), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Angus Macdonald (Auckland), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Taranaki), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Ma’a Nonu (Wellington), Anton Oliver (Otago), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), James Ryan (Otago), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So’oialo (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Mose Tuiali’i (Canterbury), Tana Umaga (Wellington) (capt), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).