The All Blacks squad announced today is undoubtedly the most controversial in recent history with numerous big names,
most notably Andrew Mehrtens and Christian Cullen not included.
Former NRL player Brad Thorn looks set to get his first run in the black jersey.
Note that this squad is not the 2003 World Cup squad, though it gives a strong pointer to what we may expect to see.
The full All Blacks squad for the Philips International Series announced today is:
Leon MacDonald (Canterbury)
Malili Muliaina (Auckland)
Doug Howlett (Auckland)
Joe Rokocoko (Auckland)
Caleb Ralph (Canterbury)
Ma’a Nonu (Wellington)
Tana Umaga (Wellington, vice captain)
Daniel Carter (Canterbury)
Aaron Mauger (Canterbury)
Carlos Spencer (Auckland)
Steve Devine (Auckland)
Justin Marshall (Canterbury)
Rodney So’oialo (Wellington)
Richard McCaw (Canterbury)
Marty Holah (Waikato)
Reuben Thorne (Canterbury, captain)
Jerry Collins (Wellington)
Ali Williams (Auckland)
Chris Jack (Canterbury)
Brad Thorn (Canterbury)
Greg Somerville (Canterbury)
Kees Meeuws (Auckland)
Keven Mealamu (Auckland)
Anton Oliver (Otago)
Carl Hoeft (Otago)
Dave Hewett (Canterbury).
ENDS