All Blacks squad named

Lock Jason Eaton and winger Hosea Gear have both been named in the All Blacks Tri Nations squad alongside veterans Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

The squad is made up of 17 forwards and 13 backs and is bolstered by the return of captain McCaw who has recovered from his knee injury, while So’oialo returns after his recovery and rehabilitation.

In the backs, Sitiveni Sivivatu returns after recovering from a dislocated shoulder, which ruled him out of the Iveco Series.

It will be a quick turnaround for 26-year-old Hurricanes and Taranaki lock Jason Eaton and 25-year-old Hurricanes and Wellington winger Hosea Gear, who last played for the All Blacks on the 2008 Grand Slam tour, with the pair returning to New Zealand yesterday after helping the Junior All Blacks to victory in the recent IRB Pacific Nations Cup in the Pacific Islands.

Ali Williams (Achilles), wing Rudi Wulf (shoulder), flanker Adam Thomson (hand), centre Richard Kahui (shoulder), lock Anthony Boric (toe), halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), flanker Scott Waldrom (back) and first-five eighths Daniel Carter (Achilles).

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the team was under no illusions how challenging this year’s Investec Tri Nations would be.

"It’s going to be a huge contest right from the first Test," he 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."

All Blacks Tri Nations squad:

John Afoa, Jimmy Cowan, Wyatt Crockett, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Bryn Evans, Owen Franks, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Josevata Rokocoko, Isaac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Brad Thorn, Isaia Toeava, Neemia Tialata, Piri Weepu, Tony Woodcock.