Rawlinson rewarded as All Blacks bring in new blood

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

Rawlinson moved to New Zealand five years ago and has previously rejected overtures from the Springboks to remain in All Black contention.

Blues team-mate Troy Flavell returns, and there are first call-ups for Southland prop Clarke Dermody and Crusaders wing Scott Hamilton.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said: “The players have been through an intensive Super 14 and we need to ensure they’re in peak condition for international rugby. That’s why we are using 39 to play the first three Tests.

“We had to ensure the right combinations and sufficient leadership in each group so it isn’t possible to rest Super 14 finalists in every position, but we have done so where possible.”

The group also includes the first XV to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on June 28, after the Ireland tour.

Jerry Collins will captain against the Pumas, with 11 other squad members to be determined later.

Injuries to Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock mean they will miss the two-match series against Eddie O’Sullivan’s Triple Crown winners.

Henry revealed young Crusaders scrum-half Andrew Ellis would have been included if not injured, while five — centre Conrad Smith, fly-half Nick Evans, flankers Sione Lauaki and Angus Macdonald and lock James Ryan — miss out through injury.

The first Test against Ireland in Hamilton is on June 10, with the second match a week later in Auckland.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson has named his squad for the Churchill Cup campaign in North America. He has selected 13 new players alongside captain Jono Gibbes and fellow veterans Kristian Ormsby, Chris Smilie and Joe McDonnell. The Maori squad assembles in Christchurch today ahead of a Sydney warm-up against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday.

ALL BLACKS (v Argentina): L. MacDonald, R. Gear, I. Toeava, S. Tuitupo, S. Sivivatu, L. McAllister, P. Weepu; T. Woodcock, A. Oliver, G. Somerville, J. Eaton, C. Jack, J. Collins (capt), C. Masoe, M. Tuiali’I.

Also included in squad to face Ireland: J. Cowan, C. Dermody, T. Flavell, S. Hamilton, C. Hayman, D. Hill, M. Holah, A. Hore, D. Howlett, J. Kaino, B. Kelleher, C. Laulala, L. McAlister, R. McCaw (capt), A. Mauger, K. Mealamu, M. Muliaina, C. Newby, M. Nonu, A. Oliver, G. Rawlinson, J. Rokocoko (Auckland), R. So’oialo, N. Tialata (Wellington), A. Williams.

NZ MAORI SQUAD: C. Bruce, G. Feek, R. Filipo, H. Gear, J. Gibbes, C. Jane, J. Kawau, T. Latimer, Z. Lawrence, T. Lavea, S. Linklater, J. McDonnell, D. Manu, L. Mahoney, L. Messam, M. Noble, K. Ormsby, S. Paku, J. Paringatai, C. Smylie, A. Tahana, C. Tamou, P. Tito, P. Te Whare, T. Waldrom.