A new All Blacks squad of 22 will be named for each of the first three rugby Tests against Samoa and Argentina and France before the Tri-Nations squad is reselected, All Blacks coach Wayne Smith said today.
Smith and his fellow selectors Peter Thorburn and Tony Gilbert will pick a squad of 30 later this month, either on May 21st or May 28th, depending on New Zealand's involvement in the Super 12, from which playing squads of 22 will be announced before each of the first three games.
"We want to keep the pressure on all 22 players going into every Test this year," Smith said. "If we're not satisfied with any performances in the first Test we'll have no hesitation in bringing in new faces."
He said the initial selection of 30 players would ensure a wide group of players would be exposed to their game plan.
The squad of 30 will go into camp in Palmerston North from June 2nd.
The All Blacks play Samoa at Albany on June 16th, Argentina in Christchurch on June 23rd and France in Wellington on June 30th before the Tri-Nations matches against Australia and South Africa. AFP