Sonny Bill Williams will be vying for a mid-field berth. Photo: Getty Images

The All Blacks selectors have named a 30-man All Blacks squad featuring seven new caps for the three-test series against Ireland.

The Chiefs’ powerful forward display this season has seen three players picked for the squad in prop Ben Tameifuna, loose forward Sam Cane and lock Brodie Retallick.

Crusaders lock Luke Romano is also a new cap in the forwards.

The new caps in the backs are talented Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith, and the exciting Hurricanes duo of Beauden Barrett and Julian Savea.

Meanwhile, Chiefs hooker and two-Test All Black Hikawera Elliot will also come into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Keven Mealamu who is recovering from a calf injury.

The squad is made up of six Highlanders, 10 Crusaders, four Hurricanes, five Chiefs and five Blues. The squad will be once again led by 31-year-old All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and vice-captain Daniel Carter and is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs, with a combined total of 879 test caps.

Players who were unavailable for selection due to injury include wider training group player Charlie Faumuina (calf), Anthony Boric (neck), Cory Jane (ankle), Richard Kahui (shoulder), Jerome Kaino (shoulder), Colin Slade (leg) and Isaia Toeava (hip).

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen welcomed his new caps to the All Blacks squad today and commiserated with the wider training group players who missed out.

“It’s always a proud moment for any rugby player to be named in the All Blacks, but the first time is particularly special,” Hansen said.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to say to those players who have missed out, to not give up on your dreams. Opportunities will always arise.”

“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.

“The two wider training group camps we held over the last two weeks really helped us establish the selection of the squad and lay the groundwork ahead of the first test. There’s been a real energy, professionalism and excitement coming from all the players involved.

“There are always huge external expectations on the All Blacks. But, for us, we wouldn’t want it any other way because what this does is raise our own internal expectations to an even higher level. We want to win test matches, and we want to do it by performing well.

Hansen also said he was very excited about leading a talented management team and coaching group into the series.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Grant Fox and Ian Foster from a selection point of view and have also been very impressed with the coaching qualities of Ian (back attack), Aussie McLean (defence) and Mike Cron (forwards). They have all brought a huge amount of experience and great rugby nous into the All Blacks environment, which has been refreshing and stimulating for those of us involved.

“I want to publicly welcome and acknowledge them, as well as the rest of the All Blacks management team who have been busily preparing for the season.”

The All Blacks squad assembles in Auckland today to prepare for the first Test against Ireland next Saturday at Eden Park. The second Test is at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium (Addington) on Saturday 16 June and the third Test at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium on Saturday 23 June. The All Blacks side to play in the first Test will be named this Thursday.

The squad is as follows: (with province and test caps. * denotes a new cap)

Forwards

Hookers: Andrew Hore – Highlanders (62) , Keven Mealamu – Blues (92)

Props: Wyatt Crockett – Crusaders (6), Owen Franks – Crusaders (31) , Ben Tameifuna – Chiefs * , Tony Woodcock – Blues (83)

Loose forwards: Sam Cane – Chiefs *, Richie McCaw (C) Crusaders -  (103), Kieran Read -  Crusaders (36) , Adam Thomson – Highlanders (24) , Victor Vito – Hurricanes (13)

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith – Highlanders *, Piri Weepu – Blues (56),

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett – Hurricanes *, Daniel Carter – Crusaders (85), Aaron Cruden – Chiefs (9)

Midfielders: Tamati Ellison – Highlanders (1), Ma’a Nonu – Blues (66), Conrad Smith – Hurricanes (55), Sonny Bill Williams – Chiefs (14)

Locks: Brodie Retallick – Chiefs *, Luke Romano – Crusaders * , Samuel Whitelock – Crusaders (25) , Ali Williams – Blues (73)

Outside backs: Israel Dagg – Crusaders (12), Hosea Gear – Highlanders (8), Zac Guildford – Crusaders (8), Ben Smith – Highlanders (2), Julian Savea – Hurricnaes *

Fairfax NZ News