Taken with thanks from Stuff
Toeava, Eaton the bolters in ABs squad
23 October 2005
Bolters Isaia Toeava and Jason Eaton highlighted the 35-man All Blacks squad named today for their tour of Britain and Ireland next month.
Utility back Toeava (Auckland) and lock Eaton (Taranaki) were two of six uncapped players named for the four-match tour starting with a test against Wales in Cardiff on November 5.
The others were Taranaki flanker Chris Masoe, Auckland lock/loose forward Angus Macdonald - whose father Hamish was an All Black in the 1970s - and Wellington prop Neemia Tialata, while Auckland prop John Afoa was part of the Tri-Nations squad but didn't play a test.
Coach Graham Henry said last week there would be no shock selections but unveiled several today.
The speedy Toeava, 19, played in the New Zealand Sevens and Under-19 sides this year and made his debut for Auckland in the NPC, primarily at fullback.
He was a finalist for the International Rugby Board's under-19 player of the year award.
Eaton had a solid NPC for Taranaki to seal his place as the fourth specialist lock, ahead of the man widely tipped for that spot, Otago's Tom Donnelly.
" Developing depth is part of our strategy going forward, so it is good to introduce five new players to the All Blacks," Henry said.
"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."
Several loose forwards pressed for selection, Henry noted, and in addition to form, the selectors sought versatility.
"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."
One major omission was Waikato flanker Marty Holah, a 34-test All Black and long-time deputy to Richie McCaw who was headed off by Masoe who can play either openside of blindside flanker.
Hooker Anton Oliver returns after missing the Lions tour and Tri-Nations with a calf muscle injury.
Another hooker, Taranaki's Andrew Hore, won a recall after being unwanted for the Lions tour and Tri-Nations series, with Derren Witcombe ruled out of the tour with a neck injury.
Hore last played for the All Blacks in the 2004 Tri-Nations.
Southland's Jimmy Cowan secured the third halfback's position ahead of Kevin Senio who was preferred as backup in the Tri-Nations.
Witcombe and Waikato flanker Jono Gibbes were unavailable due to injury.
The All Blacks assemble in Auckland on Tuesday and depart on Thursday.
The squad is:
Forwards:
John Afoa (Auckland), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Carl Hayman (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Angus Macdonald (Auckland), Chris Masoe (Taranaki), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Anton Oliver (Otago), James Ryan (Otago), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour). Backs:
Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Rico Gear (Nelson Bays), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Byron Kelleher (Waikato) Luke McAlister (North Harbour) Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Tana Umaga, (Wellington) (Captain), Piri Weepu (Wellington).
End-of-year tour
Nov 6 - Wales, Cardiff
Nov 13 - Ireland, Dublin
Nov 20 - England, London
Nov 27 - Scotland, Edinburgh
