New faces will be involved in the All Blacks' upcoming campaigns with the selectors' fresh approach evident in their initial training squad.
Today head coach Graham Henry and assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen unveiled several uncapped options for the 2008 programme.
The squad met in Auckland today and will remain in camp until Thursday.
Crusaders players are not involved given their Rebel Sport Super 14 final with the Waratahs on Saturday night but a strong representation is expected when a 26-man squad for the Iveco Series against Ireland and England is announced in Christchurch on Sunday.
Loose forward Chris Masoe and centre Isaia Toeava are the notable omissions while Nick Evans' decision to join the northern drift has seen him overlooked in favour of Waikato's Stephen Donald and presumably Stephen Brett of the Crusaders.
Piri Weepu, a 20-Test veteran, is not in attendance while fellow Hurricane Jason Eaton, who missed France through injury has some tough new competition.
Jimmy Cowan, who missed the World Cup cut, and Brendon Leonard are the two halfbacks attending the west Auckland camp while Andy Ellis is also in contention for the season opener against Ireland in Wellington on June 7.
Meanwhile, the retirement yesterday of Jerry Collins has cleared the path for the Kieran Read or Jerome Kaino to succeed Collins for the Tests against Ireland and England.
Otago loose forward and former New Zealand sevens representative Adam Thomson has been invited to the camp in recognition of his efforts for the struggling Highlanders this season.
Lock is another area of interest following the departure of Chris Jack and retirement of Keith Robinson.
Otago's Tom Donnelly, Kevin O'Neill from Waikato and Anthony Boric (North Harbour) have a chance to impress at the camp though it is expected Crusaders duo Ali Williams and Brad Thorn have the inside running.
Other uncapped players included in the group are Waikato centre Richard Kahui, North Harbour centre Anthony Tuitavake, wing Rudi Wulf and Canterbury utility back Paul Williams, who was drafted to the Highlanders this season.
Training squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kevin O'Neill (Waikato), John Schwalger (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Paul Williams (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
Today head coach Graham Henry and assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen unveiled several uncapped options for the 2008 programme.
The squad met in Auckland today and will remain in camp until Thursday.
Crusaders players are not involved given their Rebel Sport Super 14 final with the Waratahs on Saturday night but a strong representation is expected when a 26-man squad for the Iveco Series against Ireland and England is announced in Christchurch on Sunday.
Loose forward Chris Masoe and centre Isaia Toeava are the notable omissions while Nick Evans' decision to join the northern drift has seen him overlooked in favour of Waikato's Stephen Donald and presumably Stephen Brett of the Crusaders.
Piri Weepu, a 20-Test veteran, is not in attendance while fellow Hurricane Jason Eaton, who missed France through injury has some tough new competition.
Jimmy Cowan, who missed the World Cup cut, and Brendon Leonard are the two halfbacks attending the west Auckland camp while Andy Ellis is also in contention for the season opener against Ireland in Wellington on June 7.
Meanwhile, the retirement yesterday of Jerry Collins has cleared the path for the Kieran Read or Jerome Kaino to succeed Collins for the Tests against Ireland and England.
Otago loose forward and former New Zealand sevens representative Adam Thomson has been invited to the camp in recognition of his efforts for the struggling Highlanders this season.
Lock is another area of interest following the departure of Chris Jack and retirement of Keith Robinson.
Otago's Tom Donnelly, Kevin O'Neill from Waikato and Anthony Boric (North Harbour) have a chance to impress at the camp though it is expected Crusaders duo Ali Williams and Brad Thorn have the inside running.
Other uncapped players included in the group are Waikato centre Richard Kahui, North Harbour centre Anthony Tuitavake, wing Rudi Wulf and Canterbury utility back Paul Williams, who was drafted to the Highlanders this season.
Training squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kevin O'Neill (Waikato), John Schwalger (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Paul Williams (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
