KEY POINTS:
Veteran prop Greg Somerville was today named as the 30th player in the All Blacks squad confirmed to contest the 2007 rugby World Cup in France.
The squad, which was forwarded to the International Rugby Board, includes all 29 players named last month and Somerville, who was given three extra weeks to prove his fitness.
He has had to do so on two fronts, with the Canterbury prop only recently completing a long recovery from an Achilles tendon ruptured nearly a year ago.
Fifty-five test veteran Somerville hasn't played since the first round of the Air NZ Cup last month, recovering from a displaced retina caused by a poke in the eye.
All Blacks World Cup squad
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Ellis.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.
- NZPA
