All Blacks squad for November Tour announced

Seven new caps in squad to tour Hong Kong, UK and Ireland

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have selected the following All Blacks squad for the 2008 November Tour to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

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

Piri Weepu Wellington

Scott Waldrom * Taranaki

Ali Williams Tasman

Tony Woodcock North Harbour

* denotes new cap

The 35-strong squad includes seven new caps: Tasman loosehead prop Ben Franks and Southland prop and captain Jamie Mackintosh in the front row; loose forwards Scott Waldrom from Taranaki, Canterbury Air New Zealand Cup captain Kieran Read and Waikato captain Liam Messam; and Wellington team-mates, winger Hosea Gear and fullback Cory Jane.

Players returning to the All Blacks after injury include Taranaki lock Jason Eaton and Auckland winger Josevata Rokocoko, while other notable recalls include Canterbury’s Corey Flynn, an All Black in 2003 – 2004, and Wellington lock Ross Filipo, who last played for the All Blacks in June 2007.

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

“We believe it’s a very talented team that we have got for this tour,” All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said.

“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.”

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).