Oliver axed from All Blacks squad

Former skipper Anton Oliver has been axed from the New Zealand Tri-Nations squad, leaving his hopes of appearing in a second World Cup in tatters.

Oliver started in the recent Tests against both England and France, but struggled with his lineout throwing against Les Bleus and was eventually substituted.

The experienced Otago hooker was John Mitchell’s first All Blacks captain and is the latest in a line of high-profile internationals to get the bullet, following the likes of Taine Randell, Andrew Mehrtens and Munster's latest signing Christian Cullen.

It would appear Keven Mealamu is now New Zealand’s first choice hooker, though Canterbury’s Mark Hammett has been called in to replace Oliver after impressing Mitchell with a return to form.

The 31-year-old appeared in three of New Zealand’s four Tri-Nations Tests last year as the All Blacks won the title, before being ruled out of the European tour through injury.

Despite making an impressive finish to the Super 12, scoring two tries for the Crusaders in the final, the veteran of 21 Tests did not start any of the June internationals.

But he has continued that form through to the Ranfurly Shield, a domestic competition, and is included in the squad along with fit-again scrum-half Justin Marshall and the recalled full-back Ben Blair.