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Message: <blockquote data-quote="skywalker" data-source="post: 2158851" data-attributes="member: 38393">All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced their All Blacks squad for the 2008 Iveco Series and Philips Tri Nations.The 26-man squad includes six first-time selections: North Harbour’s Anthony Boric, Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf; Waikato’s Stephen Donald and Richard Kahui; and Otago’s Adam Thomson.“The new players impressed in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and played their way into the squad,” said Henry. “A few of them were not in the frame at the beginning of the year, but they proved they were some of the form players in New Zealand rugby.”Two players in the squad are carrying injuries that will rule them out of selection for at least the first Test on Saturday. Prop Tony Woodcock has a toe injury and halfback Brendon Leonard a bruised knee. Consequently, the Hurricanes’ John Schwalger and the Highlanders’ Jimmy Cowan will assemble with the All Blacks squad in Wellington this afternoon.Henry noted that the first Iveco Series Tests against Ireland would be a major challenge: “The Irish were strong when they came to New Zealand in 2006 and may be stronger this time. They’ve already been in camp for a couple of weeks, except for their Munster players who were winning the European championship. We need to be very aware of the challenge and focussed on the task at hand.”Meanwhile, Blues wing Joe Rokocoko was not considered for selection due to injury.The squad:John Afoa - AucklandAnthony Boric - North HarbourDan Carter - CanterburyStephen Donald - WaikatoAndy Ellis - CanterburyAndrew Hore - TaranakiRichard Kahui - WaikatoJerome Kaino - AucklandSione Lauaki - WaikatoBrendon Leonard - WaikatoRichie McCaw (c) - CanterburyLeon MacDonald - CanterburyKeven Mealamu - AucklandMils Muliaina - WaikatoMa’a Nonu - WellingtonSitiveni Sivivatu - WaikatoConrad Smith - WellingtonGreg Somerville - CanterburyRodney So’oialo - WellingtonAdam Thomson - OtagoBrad Thorn - TasmanNeemia Tialata WellingtonAnthony Tuitavake - North HarbourAli Williams - TasmanTony Woodcock - North HarbourRudi Wulf - North Harbour</blockquote>

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