All Blacks focus on development

All Blacks coach Graham Henry placed the emphasis on development when he named the ABs 32-man squad to tour Europe. The All Blacks play Test matches against Italy, Wales and France and then take on the Barbarians.

Henry with an eye to the future has included Steve Bates, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino, Casey Laulala, Luke McAlister, Conrad Smith, Saimone Taumoepeau and Piri Weepu in the squad after impressive form in the Air New Zealand NPC tournament.

And there were international recalls for Corey Flynn, Norm Maxwell, Ma'a Nonu, Anton Oliver and Rodney So'oialo.

But 11 players selected for the Tests last June and the Tri-Nations series have missed out.

The most notable absentees were the Canterbury half-back pairing of Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens who have been rested to allow the likes of the combative Byron Kelleher, Cowan and Weepu and Daniel Carter, Aaron Mauger and McAlister to pit their claims on the scrum-half and first five-eighth positions.

Injury has ruled out Carlos Spencer, Sam Tuitupou and Keith Robinson for the tour, while lock Simon Maling is heading overseas to take up lucrative contracts.

Nick Evans, Andrew Hore, Craig Newby and Xavier Rush were dropped through lack of form.

Henry emphasised that the decision to leave behind experienced players such as Mehrtens and Marshall had not been taken lightly.

"We're excited by the talent that has come through in the NPC and we are looking to utilise that potential to build depth in key areas that will position the All Blacks well for the challenges in 2005 and beyond," Henry said.

"The tour is significant as it offers us a tremendous platform going into 2005 and what will be one of the biggest years ever in All Black rugby history with three extremely challenging series starting with the British and Irish Lions.

"We need to establish a solid base in terms of performance and selection options and the matches against Italy, Wales, France and the Barbarians offer us every opportunity to do that."

All Blacks squad: Steven Bates* (Waikato), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan* (Southland), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Rico Gear (North Harbour), Jono Gibbes (Waikato), Carl Hayman (Otago), Marty Holah (Waikato), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino* (Auckland), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Casey Laulala* (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Norm Maxwell (Canterbury), Luke McAlister* (North Harbour), Richard McCaw (Canterbury, vice-capt), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Anton Oliver (Otago), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith* (Wellington), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Saimone Taumoepeau* (Auckland), Mose Tuiali'i (Auckland), Tana Umaga (Wellington, capt), Piri Weepu* (Wellington), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

*new cap.