Five uncapped players in All Blacks training squad
Saturday, 17 May 2014 00:00
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WELLINGTON (Reuters): Five uncapped players were included in a 35-man New Zealand squad for two training camps in preparation for the three-test series against England in June, which was announced on Monday.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has given lock Patrick Tuipulotu, centre Malakai Fekitoa as well as hookers Nathan Harris and Liam Coltman the chance to impress in three-day training camps in Christchurch and Wellington later this month.
Wellington Hurricanes scrumhalf TJ Perenara is also uncapped but the 22-year-old halfback has experience of the All Blacks environment after being included in the squads for the Rugby Championship and November tours last year.
Tuipulotu’s call-up came after test second row Luke Romano was ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season when he suffered a lower leg injury for the Canterbury Crusaders at the weekend.
At 1.98 m and 121 kgs, the hulking 21-year-old Tuipulotu has proved more than a handful for Super Rugby defences in some impressive outings for the Auckland Blues this season.
Tongan-born centre Fekitoa, who turned 22 on Saturday, is an equally powerful threat and has scored five tries in his first 10 outings for the Otago Highlanders this season.
The inclusion of Waikato Chiefs rake Harris and Highlander Coltman, both former New Zealand under-20 representatives, are indications of Hansen’s commitment to giving promising young talents an early taste of the national set-up.
“With players coming from five different Super Rugby teams, it’s important that we get aligned on our game plans and skill sets,” Hansen said in a media release.
Squad:
Forwards – Keven Mealamu, Nathan Harris, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Brodie Retallick,
Jeremy Thrush, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock.
Backs – Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith.
