Wellington forwards John Schwalger and Ross Filipo will make their New Zealand debuts against Canada in Hamilton on Saturday.

THE ALL BLACKS have been forced to call up the seventh and eighth locks on their pecking order yesterday, after Ali Williams and Keith Robinson joined a growing list of seriously injured middle row forwards.

New Zealand 61 France 10

NEW Zealand rugby selectors picked scrum-half Brendon Leonard and prop John Schwalger for the first time and omitted winger Rico Gear for the All Blacks’ final matches before the World Cup.

Uncapped duo Brendon Leonard and John Schwalger have been called up to the New Zealand squad for the Tests against France, Canada and the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament.

Blues coach David Nucifora has tipped centre Isaia Toeava and captain Troy Flavell for international recalls when the first New Zealand squad of the season is named on Friday.

FORMER New Zealand winger Stu Wilson has hailed the performances of the Australia backline ahead of the Bledisloe Cup triple header, claiming the Wallabies are favourites.

NOT FOR the first time, an Irish touring party has departed New Zealand without the rewards of test victory. That said, in the context of a two test series, none have done better.

TROY FLAVELL, New Zealand’s try-scoring hero last week, was nearly lost to All Black rugby when he went to play in Japan two years ago.

ALL BLACK coach Graham Henry yesterday reiterated his opinion that Ireland are the best team in Europe.

Ireland have a worry over full-back Geordan Murphy ahead of Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand in Auckland.

New Zealand 34 Ireland 23

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will look to draw extra effort and quality out of his players next weekend in Auckland after their fatigue allowed New Zealand to sneak victory in the first Test.

New Zealand staged a second-half fightback to deny Ireland their first-ever win over the All Blacks in Hamilton this morning.

South African-born Greg Rawlinson will make his debut for the All Blacks along with Clarke Dermody against Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will not employ a rotation policy on his team’s tour of New Zealand and Australia.

SOUTH African-born lock Greg Rawlinson has been called into the New Zealand squad ahead of their Tests against Ireland and Argentina.

South African-born lock Greg Rawlinson has been called into the New Zealand squad ahead of their Tests against Ireland and Argentina.

England World Cup winner Richard Hill faces four weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery to repair his broken nose.

Clive Woodward has described the demise of Six Nations A international rugby as a “backward step”.

NEW ZEALAND Barbarians forward Troy Flavell has been cited after Richard Hill suffered a broken nose during Saturday’s Zurich World Champions Challenge at Twickenham.

New Zealand will leave it until the last minute to decide on the fitness of lock Ali Williams ahead of the World Cup.

England’s midweek XV began their Test match expecting a fierce contest against a New Zealand Maori side driven by a unique pride and passion at New Plymouth.

In announcing Phil Vickery as captain of the England second string, Clive Woodward today did more than simply name the side that will take on the New Zealand Maori on Monday night.

New Zealand have gone to the top of the Tri-Nations points table after a 26-15 win over South Africa today.

Springbok goalkicker Braam Van Straaten says the ball to be used in Saturday's Tri-Nations test against New Zealand is a lemon.