All Blacks: Trio set to make test debuts

(Left to right) Israel Dagg, Ben Franks and Benson Stanley. Photos / Getty Images

Three players - Israel Dagg, Benson Stanley and Ben Franks - are set for their All Black test debuts on Saturday.

The trio ran with the likely starting XV yesterday at training and appear to have sneaked ahead of the other uncapped players in the squad, Victor Vito and Aaron Cruden, in the race for a test start.

Franks began his All Black career against Munster on the end-of-year tour in 2008, but injury has bitten into his chances since as his younger brother Owen stepped up to test status on the tighthead side of the scrum.

Now Ben looks like joining his sibling in the frontrow for the side's opening international against Ireland at New Plymouth.

Stanley's debut looked routine after he was picked as the solitary injury-free second five-eighths in the squad, while Dagg has beaten out the alternate fullback choice of Cory Jane, who has been switched to the wing.

Coach Graham Henry signalled that change when he suggested Jane was "probably a better wing than a fullback" when the squad was announced last week. He also said Dagg had a great set of core skills for a fullback.

The side will also feature the test comeback of Joe Rokocoko, who was dropped for the end-of-year tour after 60 tests because of his difficulties under the high ball and subsequent loss of confidence.

Six Crusaders have been picked and they make up the core of the pack with Dan Carter.

There are five Blues representatives, two each from the Hurricanes and Highlanders and none from the Chiefs.