ABs bring in seven new players

Last updated 09:07 26/10/2008

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Scott Waldrom has won the race to be Richie McCaw's backup on the tour of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

He is one of seven new players named in the 35-man All Blacks squad that also features the axing of big loose forward Sione Lauaki.

Waldrom is joined as All Blacks debutants by outstanding Wellington outside backs Jane and Hosea Gear, and loose forwards Kieran Reid (Canterbury) and Liam Messam (Waikato), props Ben Franks (Tasman) and Jamie Mackintosh.

There's also a recall for Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn, five years after he played at the 2003 World Cup. His career has been punctuated by serious injuries since then.

Locks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo and wing Joe Rokocoko also are brought back into the scene after being out with injuries of varying lengths.

Waldrom gets his international call-up at the age of 28 and after fighting back from what looked to be a career-ending foot injury.

He started his year with a solid showing for the Hurricanes but produced some irresistible form for Taranaki where he became the standout No 7 in the Air New Zealand Cup.

He then backed that up with a good performance as the All Blacks wider training squad and the Barbarians played a trial match in Auckland last Wednesday.

Waldrom's speed and robust approach at the breakdowns saw him edge young Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer for the touring position.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Waldrom had earned his spot on form.

"He's always shown a lot of X-factor. He's quick and has got good skills," Henry said of his new specialist No 7.

"He played well in the Super 14, particularly later in the tournament and he played exceptionally well in this (Air New Zealand Cup) tournament.

"He gives us some good presence at the breakdowns for turnover ball.

"He has got good hands and he gets to places most guys cant get to because he's so quick.

"He's 28, he's mature, he's not a baby. And he knows what's required. He played in a Taranaki side that probably boxed above their weight in the finish. He was one of the major reasons they did that."

Lauaki's roller-coaster career hit another low with his omission. The 27-year-old has stuttered his way to 17 test appearances since 2005.

But it seems the selectors' patience with his handling errors and inconsistencies has finally worn thin despite Lauaki's potential with his size and power.

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"He would be the first to admit his form hasn't been as consistent or as high as we'd like it," said All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen.

"He's got to go away now and decide whether he wants to be part of this team (again)."

Lauaki isn't the only casualty from the core of players used by the selectors this year as New Zealand won the Tri-Nations trophy and retained the Bledisloe Cup.

Wing Rudi Wulf has also missed out on the tour after being part of the mix this year. Gear got his spot after being the standout wing of the Air New Zealand Cup.

Canterbury’s Leon MacDonald and Waikato’s Brendon Leonard were not considered for selection due to injury.

Jane comes in for MacDonald in as fullback alongside Mils Muliaina while Andy Ellis has been declared fit enough to be among the three halfbacks despite missing the Air New Zealand Cup final with a knee injury.

"We believe it’s a very talented team that we have got for this tour," said Henry.

"We feel we have got the right balance with a nucleus of experienced All Blacks as well as seven new caps, who have shown their class in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Air New Zealand Cup, for what will be the most demanding test match tour schedule faced by an All Blacks team in the professional era."

Henry singled out Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush and Canterbury second five-eighths Tim Bateman as players who were unlucky not to make the tour.

The All Blacks will play five tests in five weeks as well as a midweek match against the European champions Munster.

The tour kicks off on Saturday 1 November when the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in an historic first-ever off-shore Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.

The team then heads to the United Kingdom and Ireland for matches against Scotland (8 November), Ireland (15 November), Munster (18 November), Wales (22 November) and England (29 November).

ALL BLACKS SQUAD

John Afoa - Auckland
Anthony Boric - North Harbour
Daniel Carter - Canterbury
Jimmy Cowan - Southland
Stephen Donald - Waikato
Jason Eaton - Taranaki
Andy Ellis - Canterbury
Ross Filipo - Wellington
Corey Flynn - Canterbury
Ben Franks - * Tasman
Hosea Gear - * Wellington
Andrew Hore - Taranaki
Cory Jane * Wellington
Richard Kahui - Waikato
Jerome Kaino - Auckland
Richie McCaw - Canterbury (captain)
Jamie Mackintosh - * Southland
Keven Mealamu - Auckland
Liam Messam - * Waikato
Malili Muliaina - Waikato
Ma’a Nonu - Wellington
Kieran Read - * Canterbury
Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
Sitiveni Sivivatu - Waikato
Conrad Smith - Wellington
Rodney So’oialo - Wellington
Adam Thomson - Otago
Brad Thorn - Tasman
Neemia Tialata - Wellington
Isaia Toeava - Auckland
Anthony Tuitavake - North Harbour
Scott Waldrom - * Taranaki
Piri Weepu - Wellington
Ali Williams - Tasman
Tony Woodcock - North Harbour

* denotes new cap

- © Fairfax NZ News

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43 comments

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WellingtonLion #43 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Flynn will choke. He gets away with murder in the lineouts and is constantly being popped up by his opposites.

Elliot was the smarter choice. Considering one of the few key responsibilites they have is to throw the ball in (though not compulsory that it be them), and most of them err 10-20% of the time on straightness alone, HOW do they justify leaving Elliot out?

Even in this regard, Hore is second best. Flynn's a distant 5th in my books.

Ben #42 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Agree, Hawke's Bay and BoP deserve to represent the ABs. I can't understand what Henry sees in Toeava, Bateman deserves his spot. Henry and Co should pick on form and drop his Auckland journeymen.

V #41 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

9 players from Wellington ??? 5 players only from Canterbury. Same as from Auckland and Waikato ??? 0 from Hawke's Bay and BoP

What's wrong with GH?

Greg #40 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

As its not a world cup, Im sure the boys will do well , if only we could win a world cup....?

John #39 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Remember people: the Air New Zealand Cup is the THIRD tier of rugby. You have to prove yourself at Super level first, unless you score an amazing amount of tries like Hosea Gear! Crockett is unlucky, but you can't argue with Franks and MacKintosh either. Bateman probably should've gone, but which wing don't you take? Hika needs a good Super 14 to prove himself.

Paul #38 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I watch TV foxtel in Australia, Hawke`s Bay v Canterbury in semi- Final, that Hika Elliot beat Corey Flynn on hooker , Hika take ball out from Corey four times !! I am surprised that Mr Henry, Smith and Harsen pick Corey for All Black team !! Hika good threw on lineout !! Hawke`s bay best lineout in Air NZ Cup becuase Hika good tthrew that ball to lineout !!! now there three All Black hooker wont be last for next world cup 2011, Hika only 22 that good chance for him !!

Paul of QLD , Australia

Gabriel #37 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I don't care too much about the forward selections but I am very pleased with Hosea Gear's call up. He has found a rich vein of form from nowhere which suggests that he had boat-loads of potential previously and just required the right psychological swithes to be flicked. Well done to him, I expect he will rip apart some of the Northern Hemisphere sides. I am even more pleased with Cory Jane's Selection. I have watched him closely for a couple of years in the sevens and for Wellington and originally he looked to have potential but was not quite polished. Now he is an all-round professional with some very silky skills which remind me not just a little of another great player who was domocile in his Wellington, Hurricanes and All Black Full Back position...can I dare mention the CC word... Can't wait to watch them both in the international arena where I am sure they will show our opposition how to play real running rugby.

Bryan #36 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

HAwkes Bay had a great year and pushed Canterbury in the semi. Hik diffinetly deserves to be in the sqaud. He was the best hooker in the competion as was Hosea the best winger. What I think it proves is that the HB coach is better that the eccentric Henry. Peter Russell and Hika Elliot are the future of All Black rugby. The sooner Henry goes the better the AB will be. However I largely agree with most of his picks.

OG #35 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

good to see cory jane, hosea gear, and liam messam chosen for the tour, they are young and can be worlds best players if trained right.

however keiren reid, is a asshole i hate him in the loosefowards, he has no strength, gut or grit in him, teams like south africa will eat him alive (we know how big theier loose forwards are). hope he only get 2 minutes of game time during th tour cause he sucks as.

if i was graham henry i woiuld focus more on liam messam. he has huge potential.

Ben #34 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Laulala and Bateman were all class against Nonu and Smith, Nonu is too one dimensional and Smith is a solid tackler but that is about it. I also think Crockett destroyed in the scrum he should have been there!

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