Six players from the Junior World Championship-winning New Zealand Under 20s team have been named in a 35-strong All Black training group ahead of the three-match rugby Test series against Ireland.
Coach Steve Hansen says the two three-day training camps, to be held later this month, will expose the younger players to the All Black environment.
The group, named on Monday, includes Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Brad Shields, Ben Tameifuna, Beauden Barrett and Luke Whitelock, who were all in last year’s JWC-winning squad.
Other new faces include Charlie Faumuina, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Julian Savea, Luke Romano, and Aaron Smith.
Highlanders back Tamati Ellison, who last played one Test for the All Blacks against Italy in 2009, is also in the training group.
Twenty-one players from last year’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad are in the group.
Missing from last year are Zac Guildford, Corey Flynn and Hosea Gear.
“In the wider training group we have a balance between proven Test players, in-form Super Rugby players and some talented, young players,” Hansen said.
“We will use the time in the camps to work on some of the protocols, expectations and disciplines that are needed to succeed in the All Blacks, plus it will also give us a little bit of training time to work on some new things which we hope to bring in for the Tests against the Irish.”
The 30-man All Blacks squad for next month’s Irish Tests will be named on June 3.
The training group:
Blues: Charlie Faumuina, Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs: Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna and Sonny Bill Williams.
Hurricanes: Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith and Victor Vito.
Crusaders: Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock and Samuel Whitelock.
Highlanders: Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.
chuck
Guest
This team is razzle dazzle okay everyone not too happy about Ali & Perry they have the selection right here bringing the new kids on the block its a long season a head why would Deans be delighted with this all black selection by the time the tri-nations you going to see a different team . Hansen is going to step the pace of the game he know who waiting in the wings to fill the void if they don't perform and we cant afford house hold changers all at once we sitting pretty on the table of the super 15 I would rather Hansen Delight rather then Deans.
mania
Guest
not questioning his dedication. i'm questioning his skill level, his throw ins to line outs and his level of contrubution. whats does he offer the AB's? does he do more than hore or mealamu. resounding no no no no. but lets just agree to disagree
BETSIE FROST
Guest
I disagree with you and he is dedicated 100%
BETSIE FROST
Guest
he isn't average at all, he gets into the game as much and if not more than others, and he plays with complete conviction
mania
Guest
betsie - yup he'd have lots of knowledge but so would hore and maelamu. flynns all right but not stand out on the world stage
BETSIE FROST
Guest
average my butt he is very talented at what he has to do
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think there's no other option but to go for a mobile game, but as we saw in 2009, if you're not going forwards then playing with mobility is pretty difficult. If the backline clicks then it could be extremely potent, but I have question marks over Hansen's assistants. People are focusing more on the players and ignoring the fact that it's a new coaching panel too. I think SA will be able to cope better without Smith than NZ will Kaino, but we'll see. If there is one thing the Irish have it's a very, very dynamic and physical back row. I don't think this will come to pass, but I think Cane has the work rate to slot in at 6. With there likely to be two lighter locks (I have a gut feeling that Williams will start at 4) I don't think the lineout needs Thomson, and personally I would like to see Cane given a go.
BETSIE FROST
Guest
hasn't been injured for a long time now, all under control
BETSIE FROST
Guest
no he isn't he's a great player and has been mentioned numerous times for the get in there and playing great!!!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Whitelock got his chance after Issac Ross was dropped and Donnelly's tank ran empty. He made his debut off the bench against Ireland and scored two tries then went on to have a great 2010 season. I don't think Brisbane is a great example of what the All Black backrowers are capable of (or not capable of as the case may be.) I agree that Thomson needs to show a tighter side to his game if he's going to be the incumbent, but personally I think Vito has more potential to be a Collins/Kaino type player as Katzilla mentioned.
BETSIE FROST
Guest
have a good look at all of the latest games, he's mentioned all of the time for the good plays that he has been making, that's got to mean something, at least he has knowledge to teach the younger ones
BETSIE FROST
Guest
I agree with you whole heartedly, just a pretty boy!!!!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Franks at least had a big World Cup. He's just part of a Crusaders side that is showing a decided lack of physicality for a Crusaders side. The backrow is the backrow that won the WC only that backrow was injured. It will lose something with Kaino just as the Boks have without Juan Smith, but I think you'll see a more mobile performance from the All Black forwards than a tight game.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
mania and Justin2 I meant Andre Taylor not Tom Taylor! The Wallabies would love Fruean and Ranger in the centres, Taylor to replace the injured JOC, Gear somewhere too. What wonderful players.
Justin2
Guest
Taylor and Ranger wouldnt be in the Wallabies. Freuan may be a chance and wing is not a position we have any issues with.
Justin2
Guest
Yeah because he just owned AF when they played didnt he? Freuan could be anything but a couple of busts outside Tom Carter is not worthy of Test match selection.
Justin2
Guest
Exception and rule?
mania
Guest
KPM dont need them, we have... Taylor = cruden, carter, barrett Fruean = Nonu, SBW, kahui Ranger, Gear = funny u should mention these two as julianSavea knocked these two on their azzez when they meet
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Johnno this is a big step towards a successful Australian defence of the Tri-nations: no Taylor, Fruean, Ranger, Gear....amazing. Think what the Wallabies could do with those four.
Ben S
Roar Guru
If I recall correctly Donnelly started the 2010 3N well, but then tailed off and was dropped. Boric has got to be one of the most injury prone men in professional rugby.