From Stuff.
2007 All Blacks squad named
NZPA | Friday, 18 May 2007
The 30-man squad have been selected for the domestic home tests next month against France and Canada and the Tri-Nations series which follows.
"Brendon has been the best attacking halfback in the Super 14 this season and has forced his way into the side based on form while John's ability to play both sides of the scrum was a key factor for us," coach Graham Henry said
Leonard, 22, made his provincial debut in 2005 and his first Chiefs start this year.
Schwalger also started his provincial career in 2005 and played for the Hurricanes in 2006 as well as 2007.
He also represented New Zealand under-21 in 2004 and the Junior All Blacks last season.
Henry noted that the tests against France and Canada were critical to the All Blacks season.
"We're focused on finding our form as fast as possible and then we want to build on it. We are looking to improve on where we were last year and there's a lot of work to do."
Of the 2006 All Blacks, locks Jason Eaton and James Ryan, who took part in last November's tour to Europe, were unavailable for selection due to injury, and prop Greg Somerville continues to rehabilitate an achilles injury sustained during last year's Tri-Nations.
Meanwhile, Chiefs loose forward Sione Lauaki and centre Richard Kahui were not considered for selection due to injury.
All Blacks squad to tour France and Canada and to contest the 2007 Philips Tri-Nations:
Forwards: Jerry Collins (Wellington), Troy Flavell (Blues), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Chris Jack (Tasman), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Anton Oliver (Otago), Keith Robinson (Chiefs), John Schwalger (Hurricanes), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Backs: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Nick Evans (Highlanders), Doug Howlett (Blues), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Luke McAlister (Blues), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith (Huricanes), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Isaia Toeava (Blues), Piri Weepu (Wellington). Junior All Blacks squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Daniel Braid (Auckland - co-captain), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Clarke Dermody (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Andrew Ellis (Canterbury), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Rico Gear (Tasman), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Marty Holah (Waikato - co-captain), Cory Jane (Wellington), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Sam Tuitupou (Auckland), Derren Witcombe (Auckland), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
2007 All Blacks squad named
NZPA | Friday, 18 May 2007
The 30-man squad have been selected for the domestic home tests next month against France and Canada and the Tri-Nations series which follows.
"Brendon has been the best attacking halfback in the Super 14 this season and has forced his way into the side based on form while John's ability to play both sides of the scrum was a key factor for us," coach Graham Henry said
Leonard, 22, made his provincial debut in 2005 and his first Chiefs start this year.
Schwalger also started his provincial career in 2005 and played for the Hurricanes in 2006 as well as 2007.
He also represented New Zealand under-21 in 2004 and the Junior All Blacks last season.
Henry noted that the tests against France and Canada were critical to the All Blacks season.
"We're focused on finding our form as fast as possible and then we want to build on it. We are looking to improve on where we were last year and there's a lot of work to do."
Of the 2006 All Blacks, locks Jason Eaton and James Ryan, who took part in last November's tour to Europe, were unavailable for selection due to injury, and prop Greg Somerville continues to rehabilitate an achilles injury sustained during last year's Tri-Nations.
Meanwhile, Chiefs loose forward Sione Lauaki and centre Richard Kahui were not considered for selection due to injury.
All Blacks squad to tour France and Canada and to contest the 2007 Philips Tri-Nations:
Forwards: Jerry Collins (Wellington), Troy Flavell (Blues), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Chris Jack (Tasman), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Anton Oliver (Otago), Keith Robinson (Chiefs), John Schwalger (Hurricanes), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Backs: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Nick Evans (Highlanders), Doug Howlett (Blues), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Luke McAlister (Blues), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith (Huricanes), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Isaia Toeava (Blues), Piri Weepu (Wellington). Junior All Blacks squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Daniel Braid (Auckland - co-captain), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Clarke Dermody (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Andrew Ellis (Canterbury), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Rico Gear (Tasman), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Marty Holah (Waikato - co-captain), Cory Jane (Wellington), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Sam Tuitupou (Auckland), Derren Witcombe (Auckland), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
