Henry looks to the future

New Zealand coach Graham Henry had one eye on the future when he named rising stars Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Victor Vito in his squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales next month.

Although an ever-growing injury list hampered the All Blacks selectors in several areas, the uncapped trio’s selection was a nod to the future with the World Cup only around 15 months away.

Vito has stood out for Wellington and the Hurricanes in the past two seasons but this year lifted his game to another level.

Always a powerful runner with the ball in hand and a good option in the lineout, the former New Zealand sevens star has improved his work in the tight and at the breakdown to be one of the first names on the Hurricanes teamsheet.

Team-mate Cruden, who battled back from testicular cancer to lead New Zealand to the IRB World Under-20 title last year and was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in the process, was a key reason behind the Hurricanes’ resurgence in the second half of the Super 14 with his strengths as a ball runner and good distributor of the ball to the fore.

The 21-year-old fly-half earned praise from Henry for his ability to navigate his side round the field and can only add to his pivot skills with time as Dan Carter’s understudy.

Highlanders full-back Dagg is another exciting young player with plenty of X-factor who has impressed the selectors with his high skill level and fondness for trying things in attack.

Cruden’s selection is perhaps the most surprising given his age and the fact he has just one Super 14 campaign to his name.

But backs coach Wayne Smith believes he has all the skills to suit the game plan the All Blacks want to build towards next year’s World Cup on home soil.

“He’s got talent but he’s got big character as well,” Smith told Sky’s Rugby Channel. “He’s going to suit the game we’re trying to play.”

But he cautioned not to expect miracles from the youngster, who would have got the nod ahead of Stephen Donald even before the Chiefs pivot was injured playing club rugby on Saturday.

“I think we’ve got to give him a bit of time,” he said. “He’s a young man.

“I remember when (former Australia coach) Eddie Jones brought in Matt Giteau a few years ago. When people saw him for the first time they felt he wasn’t quite up to it.

“It takes a wee while. We’ve got plenty of time. If we do it right he’ll be a good fit for the All Blacks.”

Vito joins a loose forward mix that includes Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson and just one specialist openside flanker in captain Richie McCaw, but no Rodney So’oialo.

“Primarily we see him as a six/eight,” forwards coach Steve Hansen said of Vito. “Not only is he a good ball-player, he’s good aerially at lineout time and his work ethic around the park is good, he is high in tackle numbers.

“His work over the ball is something we’ll work on with him and hopefully improve that but he’s got a bit of versatility about him.”

Tanerau Latimer, who was McCaw’s back-up last year, has been selected in the New Zealand Maori side to ensure he gets to play as much as possible ahead of the Tri-Nations rather than spend the next few weeks warming the bench.

Injuries to Ali Williams and Jason Eaton have left second-row stocks a bit thin and with Tom Donnelly selected alongside Anthony Boric and Brad Thorn but under an injury cloud, Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock is in the group as cover.

The midfield is another area that has been beset by problems with Ma’a Nonu (knee), Isaia Toeava (hip), Mike Delany (shoulder) and Donald (shoulder) ruled out through injury, Luke McAlister dropped to NZ Maori due to a lack of form and Richard Kahui selected but struggling with a rib cartilage problem that is likely to keep him out of the Ireland game on June 12.

That has opened the door for Blues inside centre Benson Stanley, the other uncapped player in the 26-man squad.

“He’s played pretty well in the last couple of years,” said Smith. “He’s someone that we’ve got a lot of time for and his peers have a lot of time for.

“He’s a big hitter on defence but he’s shown a lot more than that this year. He’s attacked pretty well.”

The other notable selections were the recall of scrum-half Piri Weepu and wing Joe Rokocoko.

Weepu’s goal kicking was a big factor in his favour as he was picked ahead of the in-form Alby Mathewson.

Rokocoko’s return, after being dumped last year, is reward for a strong Super 14 campaign with the Blues.

“He had a tough year last year and ended up in the pit a wee bit in terms of his performance,” admitted Smith.

“He’s done well to work his way out of that. He’s inspired by his family and that inspiration can often drive a man and he looks like a driven player to me.”

New Zealand squad for Tests against Ireland and Wales (two):

Backs: Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Highlanders)* Joe Rokocoko (Blues), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Benson Stanley (Blues)*, Richard Kahui (Chiefs), Dan Carter (Crusaders), Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes)*, Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), Piri Weepu (Hurricanes).

Forwards: Tony Woodcock (Blues), Ben Franks (Crusaders), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), Anthony Boric (Blues), Brad Thorn (Crusaders), Tom Donnelly (Highlanders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes)*, Richie McCaw (Crusaders, captain), Adam Thomson (Highlanders), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Kieran Read (Crusaders).

* New cap