All Blacks chief Henry omits Gear but calls up Leonard and Schwalger

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.

Backup to Byron Kelleher at the Waikato Chiefs, Leonard edged out Jimmy Cowan and Andrew Ellis for the third scrum-half spot. Schwalger’s ability to prop both sides of the scrum was a “key factor’’ in the Wellington Hurricanes front-rower’s selection, said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

Next month’s two-match series against France and Test against Canada are the first of seven games for the All Blacks ahead of the World Cup in France in September and October. New Zealand, which won its only World Cup in 1987, are the bookmakers’ favourite this year.