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Waikato speedsters Sitiveni Sivivatu and Sosene Anesi get expected All Black callups in the squad to face Fiji next Friday, while James Ryan, Derren Witcombe and Cambell Johnstone are the bolters in Graham Henry's 23-strong lineup.
They are the five newcomers named in the first All Blacks squad of the year and all will take a place in the match 22 to face the Fijians at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.
Given the unavailability of several key players, with the New Zealand Maori and in the case of Andrew Hore with his Taranaki side facing the British and Irish Lions in New Plymouth on Wednesday, this squad is some way off Henry's full-strength selection.
It is also notable for the selection of both Byron Kelleher and Justin Marshall as halfbacks. There had been speculation, fuelled by the player himself, that Marshall might not be required for the upcoming tests against the Lions given his imminent departure to the UK.
But Henry has named both his duelling No 9s who will now be locked in a close race to see who gets the starting role for the first test against Sir Clive Woodward's tourists on June 25.
Sivivatu, after a star performance in Friday night's trial, and his provincial and Super 12 running mate Anesi are in line for starting All Black test debuts on Friday night in Albany. Sivivatu will occupy the No 11 jersey and Anesi will play at fullback as Mils Muliaina is given more time to recover from his shoulder problems.
The trio of bolters all earn their callups after solid efforts in the trial.
Otago's James Ryan comes in as the third lock behind Ali Williams and Chris Jack, with Henry probably looking to get the rising youngster some valuable experience in the test environment.
Canterbury prop Campbell Johnstone is probably the biggest surprise, getting the nod for the third propping position behind likely starters Tony Woodcock and Greg Somerville. The 24-year-old is considered a promising prospect in the dark arts of front-row play.
And Auckland hooker Derren Witcombe also gets the backup hooker's spot with Hore released to play for Taranaki and Corey Flynn over on New Zealand Maori duty.
Seven Canterbury players come into the squad after their week off following the Rebel Sport Super 12 final. Tana Umaga will captain the side, as he will later against the Lions.
The interesting tossup will be over who Henry goes with to partner Umaga in midfield. Ma'a Nonu had a brilliant trial in Napier, while Conrad Smith also performed well in tandem with the destructive running of Nonu.
Henry said some squad members played their way in off the trial. "A couple of players forced their way in last night," Henry said. "It is a credit to them and speaks well of the trial process."
The selectors have gone for a 23-man squad to provide additional cover for Muliaina who will continue to work through his shoulder injury.
It has also been decided Waikato flanker Sione Lauaki, who had an impressive trial, will train with the team in the coming week. Injured hooker Anton Oliver will continue his rehab in the All Blacks camp.
Notable omissions who aren't involved in either the All Blacks or Maori squads for next weekend include five-eighths Nick Evans and Andrew Mehrtens and loose forwards Steven Bates, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby and Reuben Thorne.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Justin Marshall (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), James Ryan (Otago), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Tana Umaga (Wellington, captain), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Derren Witcombe (Auckland).
They are the five newcomers named in the first All Blacks squad of the year and all will take a place in the match 22 to face the Fijians at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.
Given the unavailability of several key players, with the New Zealand Maori and in the case of Andrew Hore with his Taranaki side facing the British and Irish Lions in New Plymouth on Wednesday, this squad is some way off Henry's full-strength selection.
It is also notable for the selection of both Byron Kelleher and Justin Marshall as halfbacks. There had been speculation, fuelled by the player himself, that Marshall might not be required for the upcoming tests against the Lions given his imminent departure to the UK.
But Henry has named both his duelling No 9s who will now be locked in a close race to see who gets the starting role for the first test against Sir Clive Woodward's tourists on June 25.
Sivivatu, after a star performance in Friday night's trial, and his provincial and Super 12 running mate Anesi are in line for starting All Black test debuts on Friday night in Albany. Sivivatu will occupy the No 11 jersey and Anesi will play at fullback as Mils Muliaina is given more time to recover from his shoulder problems.
The trio of bolters all earn their callups after solid efforts in the trial.
Otago's James Ryan comes in as the third lock behind Ali Williams and Chris Jack, with Henry probably looking to get the rising youngster some valuable experience in the test environment.
Canterbury prop Campbell Johnstone is probably the biggest surprise, getting the nod for the third propping position behind likely starters Tony Woodcock and Greg Somerville. The 24-year-old is considered a promising prospect in the dark arts of front-row play.
And Auckland hooker Derren Witcombe also gets the backup hooker's spot with Hore released to play for Taranaki and Corey Flynn over on New Zealand Maori duty.
Seven Canterbury players come into the squad after their week off following the Rebel Sport Super 12 final. Tana Umaga will captain the side, as he will later against the Lions.
The interesting tossup will be over who Henry goes with to partner Umaga in midfield. Ma'a Nonu had a brilliant trial in Napier, while Conrad Smith also performed well in tandem with the destructive running of Nonu.
Henry said some squad members played their way in off the trial. "A couple of players forced their way in last night," Henry said. "It is a credit to them and speaks well of the trial process."
The selectors have gone for a 23-man squad to provide additional cover for Muliaina who will continue to work through his shoulder injury.
It has also been decided Waikato flanker Sione Lauaki, who had an impressive trial, will train with the team in the coming week. Injured hooker Anton Oliver will continue his rehab in the All Blacks camp.
Notable omissions who aren't involved in either the All Blacks or Maori squads for next weekend include five-eighths Nick Evans and Andrew Mehrtens and loose forwards Steven Bates, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby and Reuben Thorne.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Justin Marshall (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), James Ryan (Otago), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Tana Umaga (Wellington, captain), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Derren Witcombe (Auckland).
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