Excluding players from Wellington and Canterbury, who will contest the final on Saturday, the All Black training squad showcases again the immense strength of New Zealand rugby, despite well publicised European pillaging at the end of 2007.
The WTG will contest a game against a New Zealand Barbarians side on Wednesday. The All Blacks will depart for the Bledisloe Cup dead rubber against the Wallabies on November 1st, before embarking on a Grand Slam tour with a midweek game against Heineken Cup Champions Munster.
The most significant selections in the squad are the two uncapped specialist open side flankers, Scott Waldrom and Tanerau Latimer.
Forwards coach Steve Hanson has stated the one of the tours’ priorities is the development of a true understudy to captain Richie McCaw, and one of these players will be given the task of trying to fill the mercurial flanker’s massive shoes.
There has been a fair degree of loyalty shown in the selection of the squad, with both injured players and early year All Blacks selected despite not showing consistent class when re-appearing in the Air New Zealand Cup.
This is evidenced by only one selection from the Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty teams, both whom finished in the top four of the domestic competition.
Hika Elliot, who had an outstanding season with Hawke’s Bay at hooker, was expected to earn a call up, but looks likely to miss out. Players such as Nigel Hunt, Zar Lawrence, Jason Shoemark and George Naoupo headline the next generation of New Zealand rugby – and shows that the New Zealand game is again is excellent health.
There are, however, many new faces in the WTG, with outstanding Waikato flanker Liam Messam likely to earn selection if his niggling hamstring injuries clear up.
Other new faces include Tasman and Southland props Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh – the latter of who is compared favourably with Carl Hayman, which shows that All Black front row stocks are very strong.
They are joined by incumbents Tony Woodcock and John Afoa, with Neemia Tialata from Wellington likely to join the final squad.
First choice hookers Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu are natural selections, but it is likely Corey Flynn from Canterbury will join them, although Dane Coles from Wellington could be a bolter.
In the second row, first choice locks Ali Williams and Brad Thorn are joined by regular back-up Anthony Boric. Taranaki lock Jason Eaton is recalled after a twelve month absence in national colours.
But he will be nervously watching the final, with outstanding locks in Ross Filipo and Jeremy Thrush on display and one of them likely to earn a position.
In the loose forwards, Messam will join either Waldrom or Latimer for the two new caps in the backrow. Sione Lauaki has been selected, despite terrible performances at provincial level in recent weeks.
New 2008 All Black Adam Thompson has also been named, but it seems that the experiment of playing him at openside will end and he will be groomed as a specialist blind side.
Of course, the two men whom captained New Zealand this year, Richie McCaw and Rodney So’oialo, are automatic selections in the final squad.
Jimmy Cowan is the only halfback named at this stage.
But both Piri Weepu and Andy Ellis are automatic selections if they are both fit following the domestic final. Wellington halfback Aby Mathewson is considered a new cap chance after an outstanding season.
In the first five positions, both Dan Carter and Stephen Donald are the untouchable players in the number ten position. Carter, the only man exuded from domestic duty in New Zealand, will join the WTG later in the week after business and overseas commitments, including his unveiling at Perpignan.
Richard Kahui is the only specialist centre selected, although the first choice All Black midfield will be on display in the final in the form of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu.
Anthony Tuitavake has been named, officially as wing but he can cover outside centre. Isaia Toeava has also been selected, and after playing at 10 and 12 this season, he has now played in every position in the backline at first class level and may be utilised as a bench utility.
Joe Rokocoko has been selected, continuing his rehabilitation from injury, joined by first choice Tri Nations wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, along with Rudi Wulf.
However, the scintillating form of Wellington three quarters Hosea Gear and Cory Jane, may mean that he will be dumped from the squad. Gear has scored twelve tries for Wellington so far this season, and all but won the semi-final match against Southland on the weekend.
Starting All Black fullback Mils Muliaina is in the WTG, but is expected his first child and likely to miss the opening games of the tour.
This enhances Janes’ debut selection as Leon MacDonald has still to make a decision on his future.
A final 35 man squad will be named on Sunday, October 26th.
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