Just two All Blacks who played on last November's northern hemisphere tour have been included among the five New Zealand Super Rugby squads for the inaugural Brisbane Tens.
George Moala. Photo: Photosport
Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman and Blues back George Moala, who both made one appearance on the tour, have been named for the tournament next week.
Seven other All Blacks - including World Cup winners Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane (both Hurricanes) and Liam Messam (Chiefs) - have been selected.
Cory Jane. Photo: Photosport
Liam Messam. Photo: Photosport
Blues back Rene Ranger, Crusaders midfielder Seta Tamanivalu, Highlanders loose forward Luke Whitelock and Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot are the others to have worn the All Blacks jersey.
The number of All Blacks selected in the NZ squads had been in question after much of the advertising around the event had centred on the likes of Israel Dagg, Jerome Kaino and Damian McKenzie.
However, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association pointed to a mandatory 12-week stand-down period for players who toured the northern hemisphere.
All Blacks forward Steven Luatua was withdrawn from the Blues squad after failing to recover from injury in time for tournament.
As well 2015's World Rugby breakthrough player of the year Milner-Skudder, the Hurricanes have named 53-test All Black Cory Jane, who has recently returned from a stint in Japan.
A strong looking Hurricanes side sees blockbusting prop Loni "The Tongan Bear" Uhila come in as late replacement for Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. The squad also features boom lock Vaea Fifita and former New Zealand Under-20s star Jordie Barrett - both of whom toured with the All Blacks as injury cover last year - as well as former Warriors league star Ngani Laumape.
The Crusaders will be boosted by the presence of star new recruit Digby Ioane - a veteran of 37 tests for the Wallabies - and All Blacks Sevens star Tim Bateman.
A high-powered Chiefs squad will be anchored by 47-test All Black Liam Messam and veteran All Blacks hooker Hika Elliott, with All Blacks Sevens star turned Samoa test international Tim Nanai-Williams providing the pace out wide.
The collection of New Zealand stars will be joined over 20 Wallabies test players at the February 11 and 12 tournament at Suncorp Stadium.
NZ SQUADS FOR BRISBANE GLOBAL RUGBY TENS
BLUES
Josh Goodhue, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Tom Robinson, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Marcel Renata, Brandon Nansen, Joe Royal, Scott Scrafton, Murphy Taramai, Ambrose Curtis, Matt Duffie, Pasqualle Dunn, Billy Guyton, George Moala, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Rene Ranger, Jordan Trainor, Matt Vaega
CRUSADERS
Tim Perry, Mike Alaalatoa],Oli Jager, Quinten Strange, Chiris Gawler, Mitchell Dunshea, Peter Samu, Jed Brown, Leon Fukofuka, Marty McKenzie, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, David Havilli, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Andrew Makalio, Seta Tamanivalu, Ben Funnell, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Sione Fifita ,Manasa Mataele, Sean Wainui, Jordan Taufua
HIGHLANDERS
Aki Seiuli, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Luke Whitelock ©, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Tei Walden, Rob Thompson, Jason Emery, Tevita Li, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Marty Banks.
CHIEFS
Liam Messam, Hikawera Elliott, Sigfreid Fisi'ihoi, Liam Polwart, Atunaisa Moli, Sam Cair, Findlamor Hoeata, Brad Weber, Joseva Rauvouvou, Findlay Christie, Tim Nanai Williams, Sheldon Tovio, Sevu Reece, Jonathon Taumateine, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivel, Dwayne Sweeney, Sosefo Kautai, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Luteru Laulala, Latu Vaeno, Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Graham.
HURRICANES
Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Reg Goodes, Loni Uhila, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Joe Apikotoa, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, James Blackwell, Brad Shields, Reed Prinsep, Toa Halafihi, Hugh Renton, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kemera Hauiti-Parapara, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Jonah Lowe, Jordie Barrett.
-Reuters
