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Scott Waldrom has won the race to be Richie McCaw's backup on the tour of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
He is one of seven new players named in the 35-man All Blacks squad that also features the axing of big loose forward Sione Lauaki.
Waldrom is joined as All Blacks debutants by outstanding Wellington outside backs Jane and Hosea Gear, and loose forwards Kieran Reid (Canterbury) and Liam Messam (Waikato), props Ben Franks (Tasman) and Jamie Mackintosh.
There's also a recall for Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn, five years after he played at the 2003 World Cup. His career has been punctuated by serious injuries since then.
Locks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo and wing Joe Rokocoko also are brought back into the scene after being out with injuries of varying lengths.
Waldrom gets his international call-up at the age of 28 and after fighting back from what looked to be a career-ending foot injury.
He started his year with a solid showing for the Hurricanes but produced some irresistible form for Taranaki where he became the standout No 7 in the Air New Zealand Cup.
He then backed that up with a good performance as the All Blacks wider training squad and the Barbarians played a trial match in Auckland last Wednesday.
Waldrom's speed and robust approach at the breakdowns saw him edge young Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer for the touring position.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Waldrom had earned his spot on form.
"He's always shown a lot of X-factor. He's quick and has got good skills," Henry said of his new specialist No 7.
"He played well in the Super 14, particularly later in the tournament and he played exceptionally well in this (Air New Zealand Cup) tournament.
"He gives us some good presence at the breakdowns for turnover ball.
"He has got good hands and he gets to places most guys cant get to because he's so quick.
"He's 28, he's mature, he's not a baby. And he knows what's required. He played in a Taranaki side that probably boxed above their weight in the finish. He was one of the major reasons they did that."
Lauaki's roller-coaster career hit another low with his omission. The 27-year-old has stuttered his way to 17 test appearances since 2005.
But it seems the selectors' patience with his handling errors and inconsistencies has finally worn thin despite Lauaki's potential with his size and power.
"He would be the first to admit his form hasn't been as consistent or as high as we'd like it," said All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen.
"He's got to go away now and decide whether he wants to be part of this team (again)."
Lauaki isn't the only casualty from the core of players used by the selectors this year as New Zealand won the Tri-Nations trophy and retained the Bledisloe Cup.
Wing Rudi Wulf has also missed out on the tour after being part of the mix this year. Gear got his spot after being the standout wing of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Canterburys Leon MacDonald and Waikatos Brendon Leonard were not considered for selection due to injury.
Jane comes in for MacDonald in as fullback alongside Mils Muliaina while Andy Ellis has been declared fit enough to be among the three halfbacks despite missing the Air New Zealand Cup final with a knee injury.
"We believe its a very talented team that we have got for this tour," said Henry.
"We feel we have got the right balance with a nucleus of experienced All Blacks as well as seven new caps, who have shown their class in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Air New Zealand Cup, for what will be the most demanding test match tour schedule faced by an All Blacks team in the professional era."
Henry singled out Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush and Canterbury second five-eighths Tim Bateman as players who were unlucky not to make the tour.
The All Blacks will play five tests in five weeks as well as a midweek match against the European champions Munster.
The tour kicks off on Saturday 1 November when the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in an historic first-ever off-shore Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.
The team then heads to the United Kingdom and Ireland for matches against Scotland (8 November), Ireland (15 November), Munster (18 November), Wales (22 November) and England (29 November).
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
John Afoa - Auckland
Anthony Boric - North Harbour
Daniel Carter - Canterbury
Jimmy Cowan - Southland
Stephen Donald - Waikato
Jason Eaton - Taranaki
Andy Ellis - Canterbury
Ross Filipo - Wellington
Corey Flynn - Canterbury
Ben Franks - * Tasman
Hosea Gear - * Wellington
Andrew Hore - Taranaki
Cory Jane * Wellington
Richard Kahui - Waikato
Jerome Kaino - Auckland
Richie McCaw - Canterbury (captain)
Jamie Mackintosh - * Southland
Keven Mealamu - Auckland
Liam Messam - * Waikato
Malili Muliaina - Waikato
Maa Nonu - Wellington
Kieran Read - * Canterbury
Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
Sitiveni Sivivatu - Waikato
Conrad Smith - Wellington
Rodney Sooialo - Wellington
Adam Thomson - Otago
Brad Thorn - Tasman
Neemia Tialata - Wellington
Isaia Toeava - Auckland
Anthony Tuitavake - North Harbour
Scott Waldrom - * Taranaki
Piri Weepu - Wellington
Ali Williams - Tasman
Tony Woodcock - North Harbour
* denotes new cap
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4740014a1823.html
He is one of seven new players named in the 35-man All Blacks squad that also features the axing of big loose forward Sione Lauaki.
Waldrom is joined as All Blacks debutants by outstanding Wellington outside backs Jane and Hosea Gear, and loose forwards Kieran Reid (Canterbury) and Liam Messam (Waikato), props Ben Franks (Tasman) and Jamie Mackintosh.
There's also a recall for Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn, five years after he played at the 2003 World Cup. His career has been punctuated by serious injuries since then.
Locks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo and wing Joe Rokocoko also are brought back into the scene after being out with injuries of varying lengths.
Waldrom gets his international call-up at the age of 28 and after fighting back from what looked to be a career-ending foot injury.
He started his year with a solid showing for the Hurricanes but produced some irresistible form for Taranaki where he became the standout No 7 in the Air New Zealand Cup.
He then backed that up with a good performance as the All Blacks wider training squad and the Barbarians played a trial match in Auckland last Wednesday.
Waldrom's speed and robust approach at the breakdowns saw him edge young Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer for the touring position.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Waldrom had earned his spot on form.
"He's always shown a lot of X-factor. He's quick and has got good skills," Henry said of his new specialist No 7.
"He played well in the Super 14, particularly later in the tournament and he played exceptionally well in this (Air New Zealand Cup) tournament.
"He gives us some good presence at the breakdowns for turnover ball.
"He has got good hands and he gets to places most guys cant get to because he's so quick.
"He's 28, he's mature, he's not a baby. And he knows what's required. He played in a Taranaki side that probably boxed above their weight in the finish. He was one of the major reasons they did that."
Lauaki's roller-coaster career hit another low with his omission. The 27-year-old has stuttered his way to 17 test appearances since 2005.
But it seems the selectors' patience with his handling errors and inconsistencies has finally worn thin despite Lauaki's potential with his size and power.
"He would be the first to admit his form hasn't been as consistent or as high as we'd like it," said All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen.
"He's got to go away now and decide whether he wants to be part of this team (again)."
Lauaki isn't the only casualty from the core of players used by the selectors this year as New Zealand won the Tri-Nations trophy and retained the Bledisloe Cup.
Wing Rudi Wulf has also missed out on the tour after being part of the mix this year. Gear got his spot after being the standout wing of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Canterburys Leon MacDonald and Waikatos Brendon Leonard were not considered for selection due to injury.
Jane comes in for MacDonald in as fullback alongside Mils Muliaina while Andy Ellis has been declared fit enough to be among the three halfbacks despite missing the Air New Zealand Cup final with a knee injury.
"We believe its a very talented team that we have got for this tour," said Henry.
"We feel we have got the right balance with a nucleus of experienced All Blacks as well as seven new caps, who have shown their class in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Air New Zealand Cup, for what will be the most demanding test match tour schedule faced by an All Blacks team in the professional era."
Henry singled out Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush and Canterbury second five-eighths Tim Bateman as players who were unlucky not to make the tour.
The All Blacks will play five tests in five weeks as well as a midweek match against the European champions Munster.
The tour kicks off on Saturday 1 November when the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in an historic first-ever off-shore Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.
The team then heads to the United Kingdom and Ireland for matches against Scotland (8 November), Ireland (15 November), Munster (18 November), Wales (22 November) and England (29 November).
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
John Afoa - Auckland
Anthony Boric - North Harbour
Daniel Carter - Canterbury
Jimmy Cowan - Southland
Stephen Donald - Waikato
Jason Eaton - Taranaki
Andy Ellis - Canterbury
Ross Filipo - Wellington
Corey Flynn - Canterbury
Ben Franks - * Tasman
Hosea Gear - * Wellington
Andrew Hore - Taranaki
Cory Jane * Wellington
Richard Kahui - Waikato
Jerome Kaino - Auckland
Richie McCaw - Canterbury (captain)
Jamie Mackintosh - * Southland
Keven Mealamu - Auckland
Liam Messam - * Waikato
Malili Muliaina - Waikato
Maa Nonu - Wellington
Kieran Read - * Canterbury
Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
Sitiveni Sivivatu - Waikato
Conrad Smith - Wellington
Rodney Sooialo - Wellington
Adam Thomson - Otago
Brad Thorn - Tasman
Neemia Tialata - Wellington
Isaia Toeava - Auckland
Anthony Tuitavake - North Harbour
Scott Waldrom - * Taranaki
Piri Weepu - Wellington
Ali Williams - Tasman
Tony Woodcock - North Harbour
* denotes new cap
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4740014a1823.html
