The All Blacks assistant rugby coach, Wayne Smith, says the management team carefully considered which players to rest for the remainder of the National Provincial rugby Championship.
All Blacks Liam Messam, Benson Stanley, Colin Slade, Anthony Boric and Rene Ranger have been made available for this week's NPC clashes, and by week 12 of the tournament, 18 members of the squad will turn out for their provinces.
Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Kieren Read, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Corey Jane and Mils Muliaina won't play in the competition at all this year, and Wayne Smith says it's because they need the rest.
Smith says those eight players have had a bigger workload, not only in the number of games, but the physical demands on them during those matches.
He says it's an issue player welfare, and the players and NPC coaches have been involved in the decision-making process.
