NEW ZEALAND skipper Richie McCaw has been passed fit to lead the injury-plagued All Blacks in this season's Tri-Nations.
Vice-captain Rodney So'oialo and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu were also recalled from injury yesterday to a 30-man squad for the annual series with Australia and world champions South Africa.
The All Blacks have been decimated by injuries this season bu
t the return of McCaw, So'oialo and Sivavatu is welcome news after an unflattering start to the season in warm-up tests against France and Italy. At least nine frontline players, including fly-half Daniel Carter and lock Ali Williams, were not available for selection because of injuries.
Two of the players selected are still nursing problems with utility back Isaia Toeava likely to miss the first three Tests of the Tri-Nations with a stress fracture in his left foot and fly-half Stephen Donald recovering from a hamstring strain.
Coach Graham Henry kept faith with the bulk of players who started against France and Italy although he dropped wing Lelia Masaga for Hosea Gear, who was promoted along with lock Jason Eaton from the Junior All Blacks squad that won the Pacific Nations Cup.
The All Blacks will assemble in Wellington for a two-day training camp next week to start preparing for their opening match against Australia in Auckland on 18 July.
"It's going to be a huge contest right from the first test," Henry said. "But this group of players has the resolve and the character to meet that challenge head on so we are expecting it to be another massive competition between the three top-ranked countries in world rugby."
Squad: Backs – Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard. Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Isaac Ross, Bryn Evans, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Aled de Malmanche. 