Under-strength All Black trial teams named

Andrew Hore has the unenviable job of captaining the Possibles against the shadow All Blacks side (Tana Umaga's Probables) in the upcoming trial. Picture / Fotopress

The All Blacks selectors have named two somewhat depleted trial teams to play each other at McLean Park, Napier on June 3.

Although the match between the Probables and the Possibles is called an All Blacks trial, many of the countries' leading players won't be involved.

They have either been named in the New Zealand Maori squad to play matches against Fiji and the British and Irish Lions, or are in the Crusaders squad playing in this weekend's Super 12 final.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has always stipulated that the Maori selectors would take precedence and that any players involved in the Super 12 final wouldn't be considered.

Henry said in a statement while several leading contenders for the test squad would be missing, the trial still held an important place in an on-going selection process.

"The trial gives more of our leading players the chance to press for a place," Henry said.

"We have an All Blacks team to pick and also the Junior All Blacks. We face a demanding test schedule this year and we're likely to need more than just 22 players. This is a good time for players to put up their hands."

Five Crusaders players have been included in the trial - prop Campbell Johnstone, first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens, winger Scott Hamilton, hooker Tone Kopelani and centre Casey Laulala.

"These guys should be reasonably fresh given their playing time over the course of the season," Henry said.

The Probables team will be led by 2004 All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga. Notable selections include Waikato flyer Soseni Anesi's naming at fullback, with regular All Blacks custodian Mils Muliaina moving to centre to partner Umaga in the midfield.

Otago's Nick Evans will play at first five-eighth while Bernie Upton is a surprise selection at lock. Johnstone will start at tighthead prop and Auckland's Derren Witcombe at hooker.

Six players were not considered due to injury - Auckland first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea, Southland lock Hoani MacDonald, Otago hooker Anton Oliver, Waikato centre Niva Ta'auso, Wellington prop Neemia Tialata and North Harbour centre Anthony Tuitavake.

The Probables will be coached by the All Blacks coaching staff, with the Possibles to be coached by the Junior All Blacks' coaches, Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

The All Blacks squad to play Fiji will be announced the day after the trial.

All Black trial teams:


Probables: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Tana Umaga (captain, Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Nick Evans (Otago), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Steven Bates (Waikato), Craig Newby (Otago), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Ali Williams (Auckland), James Ryan (Otago), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Derren Witcombe (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).


Reserves: Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Clarke Dermody (Southland), Bradley Mika (Auckland), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Andrew Mehrtens (Canterbury), Seilala Mapusua (Otago).


Possibles: Ben Atiga (Auckland), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Brent Ward (Auckland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Steve Devine (Auckland), Nick Williams (North Harbour), Josh Blackie (Otago), Chris Masoe (Taranaki), Kevin O'Neill (Canterbury), Ross Kennedy (Wellington), John Afoa (Auckland), Andrew Hore (captain, Taranaki), Saimone Taumoepeau (Auckland).


Reserves: Tone Kopelani (Canterbury), Carl Hoeft (Otago), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jamie Nutbrown (Canterbury), Jimmy Gopperth (Wellington), Casey Laulala (Canterbury).

NZ Maori team:

New Zealand Maori rugby squad named today for their matches against Fiji and the British and Irish Lions next month:

Backs: Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Shannon Paku (Wellington), Neil Brew (Otago), Rico Gear (Nelson Bays), Caleb Ralph (Canterbury), Rua Tipoki (Bay of Plenty), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Riki Flutey (Wellington), David Hill (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Carlos Spencer (Auckland), Craig McGrath (North Harbour), Piri Weepu (Wellington).

Forwards: Wayne Ormond (Bay of Plenty), Thomas Waldrom (Wellington), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Marty Holah (Waikato), Jono Gibbes (captain, Waikato), Angus MacDonald (Auckland), Paul Tito (Taranaki), Sean Hohneck (Waikato), Deacon Manu (Waikato), Greg Feek (Canterbury), Carl Hayman (Otago), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Scott Linklater (Waikato).

(Two players to be added.)

NZ sevens team:

New Zealand sevens rugby training squad announced today to prepare for the final two International Rugby Board series tournaments in London (June 4-5) and Paris (June 10-11):

Orene Ai'i, Jerome Kaino, Joe Rokocoko, Amasio Valence (Auckland), Charles Baxter, Jason Hona, Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), George Naoupu (Canterbury), Tomasi Komainaua (Manawatu), Marc Camburn, Hayden Reid, Villiame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour), Edwin Cocker (Otago), Mark Ranby (Waikato), Nigel Hunt, Tafai Ioasa (Wellington).

- NZPA