New All Blacks squad

[imported_Te Kaha]

From the herald, Pity about Cully missing.

<span>Five new faces in All Black team[/B]</span>
<span>26.05.2003
</span><span>12.10pm Five new players were named in the All Blacks rugby squad of 26 today for next month's homes test against England, Wales and France. Among them is Canterbury and Crusaders lock and loose forward Brad Thorn, who turned down the All Blacks jersey in 2001. The others are Crusaders five-eighth Dan Carter, Auckland utility back Mils Muliaina, Wellington centre Ma'a Nonu and Auckland winger Joe Rokocoko. Reuben Thorne was appointed captain, with Tana Umaga his deputy. Former All black captain Anton Oliver has also made the squad. The team is: Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Steve Devine (Auckland), David Hewett (Canterbury), Carl Hoeft (Otago), Marty Holah (Waikato), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Justin Marshall (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Kevin Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Kees Meeuws (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Anton Oliver (Otago), Caleb Ralph (Canterbury), Joe Rokococko (Auckland), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Carlos Spencer (Auckland), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury, captain), Tana Umaga (Wellington) vice-captain), Ali Williams (Auckland).</span>

 

[CanadianSteve]

Mehrtens and Kelleher missing also. I'm still picking England to beat the AB's in the final, but NZ must be the deepest rugby union nation right now. A lot of players who had good S12 seasons are left off there. It'll be interesting to see how much that squad changes for the 3N and the WC.

A year ago there was some talk that Mitchell had picked mostly Caucasian players, but that's not so any more is it?

I read a fair bit about Brad Thorn here and elsewhere, but have never read much on how he made the transition from RL to RU as a forward. That's much rarer than a back switching, isn't it? Had he some union background as a youth player, or did he have to learm scrum play from scratch when he left Brisbane for NZ?