All Blacks squad for Tri Nations

[ThrashViking]

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and fellow selector, Sir Brian Lochore, have announced a 26-man squad for the Philips Tri-Nations.

The squad is:

John Afoa Auckland (0)

Dan Carter Canterbury (20)

Jerry Collins Wellington (24)

Rico Gear Nelson Bays (5)

Carl Hayman Otago (18)

Marty Holah Waikato (33)

Chris Jack Canterbury (40)

Byron Kelleher Waikato (36)

Sione Lauaki Waikato (4)

Luke McAlister North Harbour (1)

Richie McCaw Canterbury (29)

Leon MacDonald Canterbury (28)

Aaron Mauger Canterbury (26)

Keven Mealamu Auckland (26)

Mils Muliaina Auckland (29)

Joe Rokocoko Auckland (23)

James Ryan Otago (2)

Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (4)

Conrad Smith Wellington (4)

Greg Somerville Canterbury (45)

Rodney So’oialo Wellington (13)

Tana Umaga Wellington (Captain) (67)

Piri Weepu Wellington (1)

Ali Williams Auckland (24)

Derren Witcombe Auckland (3)

Tony Woodcock North Harbour (10)


It is the first selection to an All Blacks squad for Auckland prop John Afoa. The 21-year-old is a recent standout for the Junior All Blacks in Australia and for his province against the British and Irish Lions.

The other additions are Wellington halfback Piri Weepu and Auckland wing Joe Rokocoko who both featured for the All Blacks on the 2004 end-of-year tour to Europe. The other 23 selected players were all involved in the DHL New Zealand Lions Series.

“The immediate challenge is to maintain the level of performance that the squad achieved against the British and Irish Lions,” said coach Graham Henry.

“At the same time, our strategy going forward is to expand the number of players who are ready and able to play test match rugby. This is a chance for younger players like John Afoa and Piri Weepu to take their next steps.”

The selectors did not consider hooker Anton Oliver, due to his ongoing calf injury, and Jono Gibbes who will rehabilitate a foot injury in coming weeks.

The All Blacks assemble in Auckland on Wednesday, July 27th and fly to South Africa on Friday the 29th. The team’s first Test is in Cape Town on Saturday, August 6th.

Afoa...honestly, Henry is just taking the piss.
He's awful, Johnstone did nothing wrong when he has played.
Rokocoko is picked on reputation, he aint done jack sh*t for 12 months.

 

[ozbash]

big john afoa is the goods. hes quick and hes smart and in possession of that rare attribute- mongrel.

i think they are hoping joe rokokoko will play his way into some form.
howlett is a waste of space and they have finally recognised the fact.

shame jono gibbes missed out.

weepu ? dunno. would liked to have seen jimmy cowan get a shot...

 

[aqua_duck]

I think Rokocoko's form for the junior all blacks was inspiring, I'd kill to see a in form smokin joe on one wing and Sivivatu on the other.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Rokocoko is one of those players that would score or play well whenever he puts on the Black jersey .

Reminds me of Walter Little and Frank Bunce . If they would have been pick on their North Harbour forms .
They would have been playing rugby overseas a long time ago .