Henry's new era; no Weepu, Evans or Eaton

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Is the new era of All Black rugby upon us already? It would appear so with coach Graham Henry assembling a wider training group in Auckland this week that is more notable for the names it leaves out than for the fresh new faces it ushers in.
New faces in ABs mix

With a warning that their 25-man squad assembled in Auckland on Tuesday does not include all players "in contention" for the 26-strong All Blacks squad to be named on Sunday, and with Crusaders players understandably left out of the mix as they concentrate on Saturday night's Super 14 final in Christchurch, perhaps it's unwise to read too much into this selection.

But how else can you read the omission of names such as Hurricanes trio Piri Weepu, Jason Eaton and Chris Masoe, Blues multi-tasker Isaia Toeava, or his UK-bound team-mate Nick Evans?

Sure enough none have exactly set the Super 14 alight this season, and Henry will explain their absence, if indeed it is as sinister as suspected, as entirely form related. But all are players who have seen test action to one degree or another in recent years and who would have had their ambitions of more this season.

Henry is on the record as saying that players bound for contracts in the north at season's end will not be discriminated against, and possibly this hasn't counted against Evans who will join Harlequins once his New Zealand commitments conclude.

More likely is the fact that Evans played the last part of the Super 14 season at fullback for the Blues, and largely unimpressively at that. Henry is clearly also mindful of the fact that he has to start planning for a time when he will be without Dan Carter as well.

Eaton has clearly paid the price for a flat Super 14 season, with Highlanders stalwart Tom Donnelly, young Blues streak Anthony Boric and Chiefs tall timber Kevin O'Neill the locks in camp. They'll be battling for one or maybe two spots to join Ali Williams and Brad Thorn in the squad proper.

There are plenty of what you might call "comers" at the training camp, which will feature on-field sessions in west Auckland on Wednesday and Thursday.

Highlanders Super 14 sensation Adam Thomson possibly tops that list, with the exciting loose forward rewarded for a standout season with the battling southerners. He has lineout ability, athleticism, toughness and an uncanny try-scoring knack, all of which deservedly have him in the frame.

It is probably too soon for him to make the step into the All Blacks and the inclusion of Auckland's Jerome Kaino probably indicates he and Kieran Read of the Crusaders could slug it out for the No 6 jersey in the post-Jerry Collins era.

Others notable inclusions in the Auckland camp include Chiefs No 10 Stephen Donald, the only first five invited; Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan who stays in the mix despite his brush with the law earlier this month; Blues wing Rudi Wulf; promising Chiefs centre Richard Kahui; Highlanders fullback/wing Paul Williams and Blues flanker Daniel Braid.

The inclusion of talented Blues utility back Anthony Tuitavake would appear to indicate he's in line for a well-overdue All Black callup, while enigmatic Canes midfielder Ma'a Nonu is there, which means he's set for one more chance in the national squad.

Prop is also an interesting selection, though it appears here Hurricanes players Neemia Tialata and John Schwalger have not paid the price for less than standout campaigns. Tialata, in particular, can count himself lucky to join John Afoa and Tony Woodcock amongst the front-row contenders.

Weepu's exclusion could mark the end of his New Zealand rugby career. He has been on the All Black outer since last year when he was omitted from the World Cup squad with concerns over his fitness and attitude.

Exciting Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga, tipped by many to make the step up, is is another who has missed out on the camp, indicating the selectors still want to see more from him.

Among the Crusaders players contesting Saturday night's final against the NSW Waratahs as many as 11 could be knocking on the door of the national squad.

Richie McCaw, Carter, Williams and Leon MacDonald are certainties, Read, Thorn and Andy Ellis are strongly favoured to join them, while prop Greg Somerville is also a likely inclusion, depending on his contractual status.

Other Crusaders who might also feature include young five-eighth Stephen Brett, No 8 Mose Tuiali'i and centre Casey Laulala, while wing Scott Hamilton has been on the fringes as well in recent years.

Henry and his fellow coaches will front the media after the morning session in west Auckland on Wednesday when more may be explained about the notable omissions. Given Henry's already hardline stance over the form of the now "retired" Jerry Collins, it could be that a hardline stance is being taken on form in 2008.

We shall see.

Players at the wider training group camp in Auckland are: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kevin O'Neill, John Schwalger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.

- © Fairfax NZ News