KEY POINTS:
The NZRU is retreating from its plan to announce the first All Black squad before the Super 14 final.
"Having discussed it, we have reconsidered and it is now highly unlikely," chief executive Steve Tew said yesterday.
The proposal to reveal the 26-man squad after the Super 14 semifinals was an attempt to get some of the promotion, marketing and outfitting completed before the All Blacks assembled for their opening test against Ireland on June 7 in Wellington.
Usually there is a fortnight between the Super 14 final and the All Blacks first international but this season there is only a week between the two matches. Given the form of the New Zealand sides it seems a reasonable assumption that one or more might be involved in the Super 14 final on May 31.
The NZRU then considered naming the All Black squad five days before that final and sent letters to players and franchises detailing that concept.
When asked initially, Tew maintained the idea was no more than a possibility although the Herald understands the early All Black squad naming was stated as fact in NZRU correspondence. He reiterated his view yesterday and said no decision had been made.
"And it is highly unlikely it will happen," he added.
The change had occurred because of ongoing discussions with the All Blacks selectors, players, interested parties, some of the feedback and dialogue with NZRU officials.
The All Black selectors were restricted in what they could achieve by only having their squad for a week before the initial test against Ireland, followed by successive tests against England. In contrast, the Super 14 and provincial coaches had their squads for much longer before they started their matches.
Tew said the naming of the All Blacks squad for the end-of-year trip to Hong Kong then a Grand Slam challenge was going to be "equally delicate" and would require further discussion because they left the day after the October 25 provincial final.
