KEY POINTS:
Eleven All Blacks selected for the Rugby World Cup will take part in the early rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup, said All Blacks coach Graham Henry
These include players returning from injury, such as lock Ali Williams and centre Conrad Smith, and others who had limited game time throughout the France and Canada tests and Tri-Nations Series.
Eight of the group will be available to their provinces for the first three rounds of the Air NZ Cup while another three are expected to play in two rounds.
"The majority of our World Cup squad will be conditioning for the next five weeks," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry, "but this group of players will benefit from playing time. "
