Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata is the newcomer in the All Blacks squad named for the Tri-Nations.
The squad, which will be captained by All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs and packs huge experience with 1028 test caps between them.
Hoeata, started every match for the Highlanders this year in his outstanding second Investec Super Rugby season. The 27-year-old, who was born in Tauranga, made his provincial debut in 2006, played for the New Zealand Sevens team the same year and also featured strongly for New Zealand Maori last year.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “We are excited to be naming this first squad of the year in what is undoubtedly a huge year not only for the All Blacks but the country as a whole.” Henry also offered his congratulations to Hoeata. “He is the only new All Black selected so this will be a very special moment for him. He thoroughly deserves his selection and we congratulate him.”
Four players named in the Tri Nations squad are recovering from injuries – Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle) – so the All Blacks selectors have also announced that four players will assemble with the squad as injury cover: Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, Hurricanes winger Cory Jane, Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and Highlanders winger Ben Smith.
Henry said they were confident that the rehabilitation plans in place for the four injured players would see them play some part in the Tri Nations.
“They are all making good progress on their individual rehab plans and will play some ITM Cup games before returning to test match rugby.”
The squad also sees the return of a number of players to the All Blacks, most notably 61-test Blues and All Blacks lock Ali Williams who made his rugby comeback this year after two years out of the game with Achilles and shoulder injuries.
Corey Flynn, Richard Kahui and Piri Weepu also return to the All Blacks after injury ruled them out of contention for last year’s Grand Slam tour to the Northern Hemisphere.
Colin Slade got the job of backing up Dan Carter, heading off Aaron Cruden despite his thin diet of rugby this year because of two broken jaws.
Notable absentees include Joe Rokocoko, Neemia Tialata, Luke McAlister, Hikawera Elliot, Alby Mathewson, Victor Vito and Tom Donnelly.
Crusaders wing Zac Guildford has received a recall on the back of a busy Super Rugby campaign. One player, Blues and North Harbour lock Anthony Boric was not considered due to a foot injury, suffered in the Blues’ Super Rugby Finals Series qualifying match against the Waratahs last month.
“Our first test against Fiji in Dunedin will be an important first step in our season, plus there’s extra significance because we are playing for the people of Canterbury. The thoughts of the team are still with the folk of Canterbury as they try to rebuild their lives so we hope we see as many fans as possible at Carisbrook for this fundraising match,” Henry added.
“The Tri Nations also remains an important competition for the team this year. We are proud of the record we have achieved over the years and the fact that we have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and it is crucial as we look to build towards the Rugby World Cup.”
The All Blacks will continue their preparations with a two-day camp in Auckland next week (Thursday and Friday). The team will then assemble in Dunedin on Monday July 18 to prepare for the Test against Fiji at Carisbrook on Friday 22 July.
The All Blacks kick off their Tri Nations campaign the following weekend on Saturday 30 July against South Africa at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Squad:
BACKS: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu.
FORWARDS: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore.
Injury replacements: Wyatt Crockett, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ben Smith.
A beatable squad.
ek dink hoeta is spesiaal vir bekker gekies skuld hom nog n pakslae
The New Zealand Herald said the Reds’ win is a wake-up call to the home side, who will enter the World Cup as favourites.
“The All Blacks will lose the World Cup – that’s the subtext to the Super Rugby final,” columnist Chris Rattue said.
“The nerves are jangling, the World Cup is not far away.”
NZ spooked by Reds S15 win
2011-07-11 10:
Brisbane – The Reds’ Vodacom Super Rugby title win over a Crusaders side bristling with All Blacks is an ominous sign that Australia loom as a major Rugby World Cup threat, New Zealand media is reporting.
With New Zealand desperate to win the September-October tournament on home soil, former All Black Justin Marshall said the Reds’ 18-13 victory signals a “nightmare” Wallabies revival.
“It’s Rugby World Cup year and cue the awakening of that great slumbering giant called Australian rugby,” Marshall wrote on Monday in the Dominion Post.
New Zealand doesn’t look paricularly strong at scrumhalf.
They also omitted Rene Ranger.
What is the real story behind Nonu leaving the Hurricanes, because it seems Henry still has faith in him.
Slade as back up for Carter, and no Cruden. It seems Henry isn’t taking many chances.
Cool, I see I just hit 1000 posts.
6@ biltongbek:
Nonu took exception because ‘Canes management said he couldn’t bring his handbag into the dressing room!
Did anyone catch any of the Craven Week games?
World Cup-winning prop CJ van der Linde and uncapped Sharks lock Gerhard Mostert were added as cover to the Springbok squad preparing in Johannesburg for the away leg of the Castle Tri-Nations Series.
I really hope they are not dishing out Springbok colors to everyone, that will be very sad if that is Rassies first influance on PdeV.
Did anyone gave the Rassie factor a thought. PdeV did not plan this resting thing untill that man joined the coaching staff.
Do any journalist still interviews Muir or Gold. Nothing heard from these clowns lately.
1028 international caps is a huge amount. Pity there are no WC winners among them!
@ Scrumdown:
we must just keep them as favorites
@ Scrumdown:
9
Pieter Jordaan
Free State, Blue Bulls dazzle at Craven Week
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/juniors/news/110711/Free_State_Blue_Bulls_dazzle_at_Craven_Week
Saw the last few minutes of the SWD vs Kwas game that was very entertaining. Also saw a scrummy make an amazing break and rum only to end with him tackling himself – went down like sack of potatoes!
Gotto love rugby for its allround entertainment. 🙂
Sorry: rum = run. I’m only one night here in Durbs and I’m already starting to spell and correct like Puma!
Any live music in your town, Puma?
@ fender:
its that curry, hahaha
Eishhh, I don’t feel well… it looks like I’m hiding a pumpkin under the skin on the left hand side of my face… all swolen and out of proportion..
Glandular fever or something like that… will have to visit the doc tomorrow..
Feels like somebody gave me a moooooooooooosa PK near my left ear, even the inside of my mouth affected…
… must have had too little Condensed Milk lately… he-farking-he (can’t laugh, it’s uncomfortable)…
Baie peste nou met al die koue. Ek sukkel al van Vrydag met dikderm, vrou siek almal hier het een of ander iepiekonders. Het jy nog nie pampoentjies gehad nie, pasop vir kalbassies. :GRIN:
18@ superBul:
Kannie onthou of ek al pampoentjies gehad het nie…
Ek hou my loop skoon… kalbassies is net vir daai ongelukkiges wat moet terughou vir te lank… haha
Nouja, laat ek en my skewe gesig gaan rus, het laasnag gedeurnag met werk, net so vinnige 90 minute powernap gevang tussen 05:00 en 06:30 en met skewe gesig en al vandag heeldag gewerk in Pretoria… en toe terug hierheen… en toe weer Pretoria toe om vir BonzaiGBS te gaan haal.
Ek is taamlik kisboude en gloei soos ‘n kooltjie van koors… my ore voel of hulle wil opstyg en uitbrand!
Ek weet nou hoe ‘n vuurvliegie moet voel…
@ grootblousmile:
die pryslys ….. moet ek maar vergeet daarvan
20@ superBul:
Nee man… sorry… moer besig.
Sal dit more rustig benader na ek en die kwak mekaar die stryd aangesê het… hy moet inspuit en klaarkry… en as hy my seermaak gaan sy gesig ook so lyk…
20@ superBul:
By the way, ek het laasweek in Middelburg so Edimax 3G Hub / Router vir iemand ingesit… werk nogal mooi.. na mens die freegin Vodacom Connection kak uitgefigure het.
My MTN dongle het moer maklik saam met die ding gewerk… en aan die hele netwerk Internet verskaf… maar eish, daai deng, daai Voda-fokken-com deng, hy was vol jarre se kakkas…
Anyway, nou verstaan ek en die goed mekaar nog beter.
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