Junior All Blacks out to make statement

Joe Rokocoko

Stung by missing the Lions series, a host of All Blacks can make a statement when the Junior All Blacks take on a depleted Queensland in Brisbane tomorrow.

The 13 former All Blacks named in the squad to play at Ballymore would obviously prefer to be in colder climes, but coach Ian Foster said the character in the tour party was still positive.

"There's some great attitudes being brought into the camp," Foster said.

"Obviously names like Marty [Holah] and Joe [Rokocoko] have turned up and realised very clearly where they sit with the All Blacks.

"They've got a role to play in their own development in this three-game tour.

"It's been a very positive environment. We expected some guys to take a while, but everyone seems to have jumped into it and taken the challenge on board."

The 29-man squad will be completed when Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan and prop Clarke Dermody arrive, injuries permitting, after their clash with the Lions in Invercargill tonight.

They will be eligible for the opening Australia A clash in Canberra on Sunday.

The mini-tour ends with a second match-up with the A squad in Sydney on July 1.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones named an A squad yesterday featuring several former Wallabies, including Queensland backs Elton Flatley and Ben Tune.

Flatley was omitted from the Wallabies squad for Saturday's one-off test against Italy in Melbourne in a bid to fast-track him back into form and fitness with two arguably tougher matches against the Junior All Blacks.

A series of concussions forced the Reds five-eighth to sit out the second half of this year's Super 12, ensuring he slipped behind Matt Giteau and Morgan Turinui as the Wallabies' back-up No 10 and second five-eighth.

"It's been eight weeks since 'Flats' last played," Jones said, explaining the decision to include the 2003 World Cup vice-captain in the A squad.

Australia's Super 12 rookie of the year, Waratahs' wing Peter Hewat, has been rewarded for his outstanding season with a place in the A squad.

Tune's return to the top flight after knee problems takes another step forward.

Only one non-Super 12 player has forced his way into the A squad, Waratahs' backrower and Australia sevens representative Matt Hodgson.

Queensland coach Jeff Miller concedes the Reds will be up against it against the Junior All Blacks, regardless of the pedigree of the opposition.

"We haven't been able to run as a team because the Wallabies squad members have been away, and it's amazing the rustiness that has set in so soon after the end of Super 12," said Miller, who has had to cater for 11 players leaving the state after a dismal 10th-placing in the Super 12.

The main defections are lock Nathan Sharpe and centre Junior Pelesasa to the Western Force, while wing Wendell Sailor is bound for Sydney.