All Blacks Announce Squad

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced the All Blacks squad

John Afoa Auckland
Anthony Boric North Harbour
Dan Carter Canterbury
Stephen Donald Waikato
Andy Ellis Canterbury
Andrew Hore Taranaki
Richard Kahui Waikato
Jerome Kaino Auckland
Sione Lauaki Waikato
Brendon Leonard Waikato
Richie McCaw (c) Canterbury
Leon MacDonald Canterbury
Keven Mealamu Auckland
Mils Muliaina Waikato
Ma’a Nonu Wellington
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato
Conrad Smith Wellington
Greg Somerville Canterbury
Rodney So’oialo Wellington
Adam Thomson Otago
Brad Thorn Tasman
Neemia Tialata Wellington
Anthony Tuitavake North Harbour
Ali Williams Tasman
Tony Woodcock North Harbour
Rudi Wulf North Harbour

The 26-man squad includes six first-time selections: North Harbour’s Anthony Boric, Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf; Waikato’s Stephen Donald and Richard Kahui; and Otago’s Adam Thomson. “The new players impressed in the Rebel Sport Super 14 and played their way into the squad,” said Henry. “A few of them were not in the frame at the beginning of the year, but they proved they were some of the form players in New Zealand rugby.”
Two players in the squad are carrying injuries that will rule them out of selection for at least the first Test on Saturday. Prop Tony Woodcock has a toe injury and halfback Brendon Leonard a bruised knee. Consequently, the Hurricanes’ John Schwalger and the Highlanders’ Jimmy Cowan will assemble with the All Blacks squad in Wellington this afternoon.
Henry noted that the first Tests against Ireland would be a major challenge: “The Irish were strong when they came to New Zealand in 2006 and may be stronger this time. They’ve already been in camp for a couple of weeks, except for their Munster players who were winning the European championship. We need to be very aware of the challenge and focussed on the task at hand.”
Meanwhile, Blues wing Joe Rokocoko was not considered for selection due to injury.

New Zealand Maori Coach Donny Stevenson and Assistant Coach Milton Haig today announced the New Zealand Maori squad for the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament.The squad is:

Tim Bateman * Canterbury
Kaitahu Daniel Braid Auckland,Tainui
Stephen Brett * Canterbury, Kaitahu
Callum Bruce Waikato, Ngati Kahungunu
Keith Cameron Otago, Te Whanau Apanui
Aled de Malmanche Waikato, Tainui
Jason Eaton * Taranaki, Ngati Apa
Hikawera Elliot * Hawke’s Bay, Ngati Kahungunu
Jacob Ellison * Wellington, Ngati Porou
Tamati Ellison Wellington, Ngati Porou
Ross Filipo Wellington, Ngati Raukawa
Hosea Gear Wellington, Ngati Porou / Aitanga Mahaki
Glen Horton Otago, Te Whaetoa
Jason Kawau Southland, Ngati Apa
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty, Ngati Rangi
Zar Lawrence Bay of Plenty, Ngapuhi
Hoani MacDonald Southland, Rangitane
Ben May Tasman, Tainui
Liam Messam Waikato, Tuhoe
Clint Newland * Hawke’s Bay, Ngati Kahungunu
Shannon Paku Wellington, Ngati Kahungunu / Tuhoe
Chris Smylie North Harbour, Ngati Mutunga
Dwayne Sweeney Waikato, Tainui
Hayden Triggs Manawatu, Ngati Kahungunu
Thomas Waldrom Wellington, Ngati Porou
Piri Weepu Wellington, Whakatohea

* Denotes new cap

Tamati Ellison and Liam Messam have been named co-captains.

New Zealand Maori will make its debut in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup this year and will play internationals against Australia A, Japan, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Stevenson said the competition would provide a new and exciting challenge for the team. “This year will be the first time in a while that we will play five matches on consecutive weekends and that will be a huge test for the team. “Our Pacific Island rivals are very passionate about their rugby, Japan continues to improve on the international stage and we know Australia A will be a tough team in Sydney. But that’s the challenge and we are thrilled to compete in this competition,” Stevenson said.

New Zealand Maori 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup schedule (all times local)
Saturday 7 June: v Tonga, North Harbour Stadium, Albany at 4.40pm
Saturday 14 June: v Fiji, Churchill Park, Lautoka at 3.05pm
Saturday 21 June: v Manu Samoa, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton at 4.40pm
Saturday 28 June: v Japan, McLean Park, Napier at 2.40pm
Sunday 6 July: v Australia A, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 2.10pm

Even with a few big names moved on you can make a couple of pretty handy combinations there.
I don't think they will slip too far.

The Maori Squad is possibly a little lighter on big names than in previous years though.

Possibly?

As in a lot, except I haven't seen enough of this year to comment on the new players coming in ;)

Manawatu lock Hayden Triggs has been forced to withdraw from the New Zealand Maori side because of a foot injury. Triggs was examined by medical staff yesterday and x-rays revealed a stress fracture of his right foot which has ruled him out of the upcoming tournament.

Triggs will be replaced by Canterbury’s Isaac Ross (Ngati Kahungunu), who made his New Zealand Maori debut in last year’s Churchill Cup.

New Zealand Maori Coach Donny Stevenson said it was disappointing for Triggs to pull out of the squad. “Hayden first played for the Maori team last year and made a huge contribution to the team and it is disappointing for him to miss this year’s tournament. But this is a great opportunity for Isaac to come in and once again show his ability on the international stage,” Stevenson said.