A raft of New Zealand’s star men have been left out of the squad to face South Africa next weekend.
With two wins from two to date in their Tri-Nations campaign, Kiwi coach Graham Henry has decided to rest captain Richie McCaw for next weekend’s meeting in Port Elizabeth. Dan Carter, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith have all also been excluded from the 25-man party, with hooker Keven Mealamu set to take up skippering duties from McCaw.
Versatile kicker Colin Slade, full back Israel Dagg and centre Richard Kahui are among the players expected to benefit with game time as Henry looks to hone his squad ahead of their hosting of this autumn’s World Cup, the coach saying of his altered collective: “Some players who have travelled a lot are not going.
“Some players who haven't played a lot are playing, so we're trying to give players an opportunity.
“I think that's very important. We'll be going into the biggest tournament these guys are ever likely to play in, and they want the opportunity of playing in it and playing in it well.
“It's a great opportunity for Colin (Slade, with Carter left put). ,'He has to run the team at some stage. He could well have to do that in a rugby World Cup final, who knows, so we just have to give him that experience.”
New Zealand squad:
Forwards: John Afoa, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Victor Vito.
Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Sonny Bill Williams.
Don’t forget – All 48 Rugby World Cup games live on Setanta (including the 35 games RTE don’t have)