The All Blacks selectors have
stayed with the tried and
trusted in naming their squad
for the Tri-Nations rugby test
against South Africa in
Johannesburg on August 22.
All 26 players named
yesterday have taken the
field for New Zealand this
season.
The four players added to
the 22-man squad who
retained
the Bledisloe Cup by
beating Australia 20-10 in
Christchurch last Saturday
were Northland outside back
Rene Ranger, Hawke's Bay
fullback Israel Dagg,
Auckland prop John Afoa
and North Harbour lock
Anthony Boric
Pending the outcome of a
fitness test tomorrow,
Southland halfback Jimmy
Cowan, who missed the test
against Australia due to a rib
injury, has been bracketed
with Alby Mathewson, who
made his test debut from the
bench in Christchurch.
The selectors decided that
members of the wider squad,
Waikato loose forward Liam
Messam and midfield back
Richard Kahui, should
remain in New Zealand.
Kahui has been sidelined
in recent weeks due to a
shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, six All Blacks
have been released for their
national provincial
championship teams this
week, with Messam, Boric,
Dagg, Tasman prop Ben
Franks, and Canterbury pair
Corey Flynn and Sam
Whitelock all set for some
game time.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD:
Forwards: John Afoa, Anthony
Boric, Tom Donnelly, Corey
Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen
Franks, Jerome Kaino, Richie
McCaw, Keven Mealamu,
Kieran Read, Brad Thorn,
Victor Vito, Samuel Whitelock
and Tony Woodcock.
Backs: Daniel Carter, Jimmy
Cowan/Alby Mathewson, Aaron
Cruden, Israel Dagg, Cory
Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a
Nonu, Rene Ranger, Joe
Rokocoko, Conrad Smith,
Benson Stanley and Piri
Weepu.NZPA
