Henry gambles on eight All Black newcomers

EIGHT newcomers have been named by the All Blacks coach Graham Henry in a bold selection policy for the upcoming European tour and a gruelling 2005 season.

The former Lions boss has raised some eyebrows in New Zealand with the 32-strong squad for their tour next month of Italy, Wales and France which finishes against the Barbarians.

Interest focused on Henry’s approach to scrum-half and fly-half, as a trio who have filled those play-making roles for several seasons will not tour.

Carlos Spencer had already made himself unavailable while Henry has rested fellow fly-half Andrew Mehrtens and veteran scrum-half Justin Marshall.

Daniel Carter, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister will be his fly-half options, despite them all having played much of their rugby at inside centre or elsewhere in the three-quarters.

“In the five-eighths these are the guys who have got the future of 10 stamped on them and we need to develop them,” Henry said.

“We could have stayed with the current experienced players but we wouldn’t have had those players coming in underneath. It’s a matter of being bold and getting on with it.”

With 12 tests likely next year, including three against the Lions and a possible grand slam year-ending tour, Henry described 2005 as arguably the most important in All Blacks history. He said he is focused on discovering new talent to follow in the footsteps of Spencer, Mehrtens and Marshall.

“They’re not going to be real long-term prospects for New Zealand rugby and we need to make sure we’ve got people that can slot into their positions in the future.”

Twenty two-year-old Carter who gets his first shot at the Number10 jersey is one such talent

“We think Daniel Carter has got a big future in the All Blacks,” Henry said. “He’s got the skill set to do so. We will work with him to try and develop that.”

Henry confirmed vice-captain Richie McCaw, who led Canterbury to the NPC title, would have time as skipper on tour.

“We certainly don’t want (captain) Tana Umaga out there for four games in a row for 80 minutes, I don’t think that’s appropriate and I’m sure he would agree with that,” Henry said.

The new players are Number 8 Steven Bates, halfback Jimmy Cowan, fly-half McAlister, centre Casey Laulala, centre Conrad Smith, prop Saimone Taumoepeau, halfback Piri Weepu and loose forward Jerome Kaino. The selection also marks the return of former All Blacks hooker and captain Anton Oliver while hooker Corey Flynn, lock Norm Maxwell, centre Ma’a Nonu, and loose forward Rodney So’oialo also return.

FORWARDS: S. Bates (Waikato), J. Collins (Wellington), C. Flynn (Canterbury), J. Gibbes (Waikato), C. Hayman (Otago), M. Holah (Waikato), C. Jack (Canterbury), N. Maxwell (Canterbury), R. McCaw (vice-captain, Canterbury), K. Mealamu (Auckland), A. Oliver (Otago), G. Somerville (Canterbury), R. So’oialo (Wellington), S. Taumoepeau (Auckland), M. Tuiali’i (Auckland), A. Williams (Auckland), T. Woodcock (North Harbour).

BACKS: D. Carter (Canterbury), J. Cowan (Southland), R. Gear (North Harbour), D. Howlett (Auckland), J. Kaino (Auckland), B. Kelleher (Waikato), C. Laulala (Canterbury), A. Mauger (Canterbury), L. McAlister (North Harbour), M. Muliaina (Auckland), M. Nonu (Wellington), J. Rokocoko (Auckland), C. Smith (Wellington), T. Umaga (captain, Wellington), P. Weepu (Wellington).