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Written by Site Admin
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Sunday, 28 May 2006 |
 All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and fellow selector, Sir Brian Lochore, have announced the All Blacks squad for the Tests against Ireland as well as a starting XV for the Test against Argentina.
The squad for the match in Buenos Aires will include another 11 players to be named on 18 June.
The squad that will prepare for Ireland is:
Jimmy Cowan Southland
Clarke Dermody Southland
Troy Flavell Auckland
Scott Hamilton Canterbury
Carl Hayman Otago
David Hill Waikato
Marty Holah Waikato
Andrew Hore Taranaki (Second Test only)
Doug Howlett Auckland
Jerome Kaino Auckland
Byron Kelleher Waikato
Casey Laulala Canterbury
Luke McAlister North Harbour
Richie McCaw Canterbury (Captain)
Aaron Mauger Canterbury
Keven Mealamu Auckland
Mils Muliaina Waikato
Craig Newby Otago
Ma’a Nonu Wellington
Anton Oliver Otago (First Test only)
Greg Rawlinson North Harbour
Joe Rokocoko Auckland
Rodney So’oialo Wellington
Neemia Tialata Wellington
Ali Williams Auckland
It is the first selection to an All Blacks squad for three players; prop Clarke Dermody, lock Greg Rawlinson and wing Scott Hamilton.
The starting XV for the Test match against Argentina is:
Leon MacDonald Canterbury
Rico Gear Tasman
Isaia Toeava Auckland
Sam Tuitupou Auckland
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato
Dan Carter Canterbury
Piri Weepu Wellington
Mose Tuiali’i Canterbury
Chris Masoe Wellington
Jerry Collins Wellington (Captain)
Chris Jack Canterbury
Jason Eaton Taranaki
Greg Somerville Canterbury
Anton Oliver Otago
Tony Woodcock North Harbour
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said: “The players have been through an intensive Rebel Sport Super 14 and we need to ensure that they’re in peak condition for international rugby. That’s why we are using 39 to play the first three Tests.” Henry noted that the All Blacks would take a squad of 30 players into the Philips Tri Nations in July.
Injuries mean that wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (knee) and prop Tony Woodcock (calf) were only in consideration for the Test against Argentina. Woodcock tore his left calf muscle in April and Sivivatu underwent athroscopic surgery last Monday for an ongoing knee complaint.
“We had to ensure the right combinations and sufficient leadership in each group,” added Henry, “so it isn’t possible to rest Rebel Sport Super 14 finalists in every position, but we have done so where possible.”
The All Blacks coach also acknowledged the Crusaders’ Andrew Ellis as a player who was in consideration before the halfback tore his MCL in the Rebel Sport Super 14 semi-finals.
Five players who took part in last November’s Grand Slam tour were unavailable due to injury: centre Conrad Smith, five-eigth Nick Evans, flankers Sione Lauaki and Angus Macdonald and lock James Ryan.
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