WELLINGTON—The players selected for the All Blacks' end-of-season tour have an opportunity to cement themselves into the selectors' thinking for the 2011 World Cup, coach Graham Henry said on Sunday.
Henry named a 33-man squad for the six-match tour to Japan and Europe, including four new caps and recalling three players who had been out of the team with long-term injuries.
Outside backs Ben Smith, Zac Guildford and Tamati Ellison plus flyhalf Mike Delaney are the uncapped players, while hooker Corey Flynn (arm), lock Anthony Boric (toe) and scrumhalf Andy Ellis (rib) were all recalled.
"This has been a difficult side to select," Henry told a televised news conference. "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected and they will be disappointed.
"This tour is very much about selection going forward. There is a small eye for the rugby World Cup (and) we have got to make sure our selections are right.
"There are probably 10 guys who are injured and there are a number of very good guys who have been left behind who have the opportunity to come back.
"It's important these guys (selected) cement themselves in this team going forward and to do that they have to play."
Veteran winger Joe Rokocoko has been dropped while lock Isaac Ross, who played in eight tests this year, was left out to work on his physical condition and add some weight.
"We believe he has got things to work on to be a better player," Henry said of Ross's exclusion.
"For him to be a strong scrummager and better in the cleanout in the breakdown he needs time to develop the strength to do that and we think that is important for him."
WEEPU SURGERY
Scrumhalf Piri Weepu had also been dropped so he can have surgery on a persistent ankle injury. Weepu only returned to the field on Saturday after sustaining the injury in the Tri-Nations.
Henry said the opening games, against Australia in Tokyo on Oct. 31 and Wales in Cardiff on Nov. 7, would set the tone for the tour.
"I think the first two games... will put the most pressure on us," Henry said. "We would like to start well. Playing Australia in Tokyo... is a big ask.
"The next week we will have a huge challenge against Wales (as) we will be playing against the side that I think play the most positive football in the UK. They will take us on with 15 players so that will be a major challenge.
"We have got to come back from this tour proud of the rugby we have played and the guys proud of what they have achieved.
"There is no better measuring stick than international rugby (and) guys seeing if they are up to the level required."
