26 Oct 2008

Kieran Read one of seven new All Black caps

9:11 am on 26 October 2008

There are seven new caps in the All Blacks squad for the November tour to Hong Kong, UK and Ireland.

The newcomers in the 35-strong squad are Tasman loosehead prop Ben Franks, Southland prop Jamie Mackintosh, loose forwards Scott Waldrom from Taranaki, Canterbury's Kieran Read and Waikato's Liam Messam along with Wellington team-mates, the winger Hosea Gear and fullback Cory Jane.

Players returning to the All Blacks after injury include Taranaki lock Jason Eaton and Auckland winger Josevata Rokocoko.

Other notable recalls include Canterbury's Corey Flynn and Wellington lock Ross Filipo.

Canterbury's Leon MacDonald and Waikato's Brendon Leonard were not considered for selection due to injury.

Full squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Cory Jane (Wellington), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Richie McCaw (Canterbury, captain), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Ali Williams (Tasman), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour)