The All Blacks selectors on Sunday named four debutants including two big surprises in the squad for their six-match northern hemisphere tour.
Following their mixed Tri-Nations series which saw New Zealand lose three out of three to South Africa and win all three against Australia, coach Graham Henry signalled he was looking to reinvigorate his team.
Bay of Plenty flyhalf Mike Delany and wing/fullback Ben Smith were selected out of left field for the tour starting late this month, but Henry said their domestic form had been impossible to ignore.
Smith had been selected mainly as a right wing specialist and to cover at fullback after a strong season in the Super 14 and domestic provincial competition.
”Mike Delany got selected on form. We like his real positiveness in the game, he’s a good kicker of the ball but he has the ability to counter-attack as well,” Henry said.
The other two squad debutants, winger Zac Guildford and utility back Tamati Ellison, were less of a surprise in a side which also featured the return of three 2008 All Blacks in hooker Corey Flynn, halfback Andy Ellis, and North Harbour lock Anthony Boric.
Veteran winger Joe Rokocoko was among the casualties after after showing patchy form this year, along with scrumhalf Piri Weepu, whom coach Graham Henry said had not sufficiently recovered from an ankle injury.
Wingers Hosea Gear and Rudi Wulf, flyhalf Colin Slade, lock Isaac Ross and hooker Aled de Malmanche were also missing after being part of the squad earlier this year.
Ross had been considered a valuable find after debuting this season but Henry said the young lock needed to become more powerful.
”If he’s going to be a strong scrummager and better at the breakdown in the cleanout part of the game, he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that.”
”It’s been a difficult side to select. There’s a lot of good players that haven’t been selected,” Henry added.
”There’s a small eye to the Rugby World Cup [in 2011] and we’ve got to make sure our selections are right.
”There’s probably been more edge to this selection than there has been for some time and I think that’s good for New Zealand rugby.”
Injuries ruled out utility back Isaia Toeava, winger Lelia Masaga, hooker Keven Mealamu, locks Bryn Evans and Ali Williams, and centre Richard Kahui.
Henry, backs coach Wayne Smith and forwards coach Steve Hansen have given their own roles a shake-up, with Smith taking charge of defence, Hansen working on attack and Henry taking responsibility for the forwards.
”We’re always trying to improve what we’re doing and we think this is an opportunity to do that and get better,” he said.
The All Blacks open their tour with a Test against Australia in Tokyo on October 31, followed by matches against Wales, Italy, England, France and the Barbarians. — AFP
