Hawkes Bay winger Zac Guildford was widely tipped to feature in today's All Blacks naming and he duly was, along with bolters Ben Smith, the Otago fullback or winger, and Bay of Plenty first-five Mike Delany.
Guildford's got the edge on Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear in the selectors' thinking with head coach Graham Henry very pleased with Guildford's all round game.
Henry says Guildford also reminds him of All Black great John Kirwan in the way he gets on the shoulders of players to get the final pass to score, but it's his high ball work, kicking and defence that makes him a good selection.
The four new caps for the tour to Japan and Europe starting later this month also include Tamati Ellison, the Wellington mid-fielder looking likely to finally get on the field after being on the fringe of the All Blacks during the Tri Nations.
