Half of All Blacks squad released for NPC

The All Blacks selectors have released half the All Blacks' Tri-Nations squad for the second round of the NPC.

The 13 players made available are:

John Afoa
Carl Hayman
Marty Holah
Sione Lauaki
Luke McAlister
Leon MacDonald
Joe Rokocoko
James Ryan
Kevin Senio
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Conrad Smith
Greg Somerville
Derren Witcombe

The majority of the group were reserves for the two Tri-Nations tests in Cape Town and Sydney and played sparingly. Leon MacDonald and Joe Rokocoko started one test each.

Tighthead prop Carl Hayman started in both, but did not play the last two tests of the Lions series because of injury.

The All Blacks reassemble in Dunedin next Sunday and prepare to host South Africa on August 27.