Weepu thrown lifeline by new-look All Blacks

The All Blacks on Sunday named seven uncapped players in their 30-man squad for the Ireland Test series and threw a lifeline to out-of-form veterans Piri Weepu and Ali Williams.

In the first All Blacks squad to be chosen since they won the World Cup eight months ago, new head coach Steve Hansen is mixing experience with promise for the three-match series that starts on June 9 in Auckland.

“We have selected a really balanced squad of experienced players who have played with distinction over a number of Tests, and a group of young players with huge potential,” he said.

The new forwards include locks Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano, flanker Sam Cane -- who is seen as heir apparent to captain Richie McCaw -- and 20-year-old Ben Tameifuna, who started the year as a back-up prop at the Waikato Chiefs.

In the backs, fly-half Beauden Barrett, scrum-half Aaron Smith and wing Julian Savea are brought into the All Blacks for the first time. Fifty-six-Test Weepu, who has struggled for form with the Auckland Blues and was not even required for their Super 15 match against the Chiefs on Saturday.

Barrett is the third fly-half behind Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden, but in talking up Weepu, Hansen praised his ability to also fill in at pivot, effectively giving the squad four number 10s.

However, there are only two scrum-halves with the in-form Andy Ellis sidelined to make way for Smith, who possesses a bullet-like pass, and Weepu. Hansen acknowledged Weepu is playing well below par but believed he would return to his best for the international series. “It came down to either Piri or Andy and we felt with Piri's added ability to goal-kick, and play first five (fly-half) if we get a double-injury, they're advantages,” Hansen said.

AFP