The best entry into the All Black club is through the Super 14 door. This was the message, loud and clear, coming from New Zealand coach Graham Henry to those aspiring to represent their country.

Henry, speaking ahead of the team's departure on a six-match tour of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland, said the Super 14 is where players must prove their worth.

He remains reluctant to rely on Air New Zealand Cup form when naming teams.

Henry's selections for the five-week tour were fairly predictable — even though seven newcomers were named — so much of the analysis centred around players who hadn't made the grade.

Some were just plain unlucky, with the coach citing Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush, Bay of Plenty flank Tanerau Latimer and Canterbury inside centre Tim Bateman among those closest to earning a plane ticket.

Other names thrown at Henry included Wellington scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and Hawke's Bay trio Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Hikawera Elliott — all players who had only limited experience at Super 14 level.

"They played exceptionally well most of the time for Hawke's Bay which is great, but we're really looking forward to seeing them play at the next level," Henry told NZPA.

"I thought Israel Dagg was one of the form players of the Air NZ Cup. He's a young guy, he's got a good future I think. He needs to play at the next level, doesn't he?

"It's the next level that they've got to perform at."

The seven newcomers had all had strong Super 14 seasons, with the just-completed provincial championship a chance to prove they hadn't let their standards slip.

The rookies are Wellington outside backs Cory Jane and Hosea Gear, three loose forwards in Taranaki's Scott Waldrom, Cantabrian Kieran Read and Waikato's Liam Messam and two props — Jamie Mackintosh of Southland and Ben Franks of Tasman.

Read's selection is seen as overdue by many, with the Canterbury captain one of the stars of the Crusaders' surge to another Super Rugby title this year.

Henry stood by his decision not to select Read in June, believing his young frame would have struggled with too much rugby.

"Kieran Read has served an apprenticeship," Henry said.

"He's waited and he's captained that side well. He can play at number six and number eight and he's a good line-out player. He's played well for a long time."

Former Sevens star Messam was still a little too hot and cold with his form for Henry's liking, but was improving in that regard.

"Hopefully the graph will continue to rise," Henry said.

"Liam has played some exceptional football for Waikato, he gets a lot of touches, that boy.

"He's a very exciting player for the future."

Forwards coach Steve Hansen was excited by the promotion of Mackintosh and Franks although he said both would be asked to concentrate on their respective sides of the scrum.

Recalled locks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo had Hansen buzzing just as much.

Taranaki's Eaton was at last getting back near his best after suffering an horrific knee injury 18 months ago.

"He [Eaton] was a good All Black before he got the injury and if hadn't have, he would have probably gone to the World Cup. We're excited by the way he finished the season," Hansen said.

"And Ross Filipo started the season slowly with injury and really finished it strongly. "He offers experience as opposed to someone like Thrush, who's missed out."

Henry believed he had got the mix "about right" of providing tired players or injured players with a break since the Tri-Nations while those in need of rugby had tasted action.

It is unlikely Henry, Hansen and backs coach Wayne Smith will venture far from the side who secured the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations in Brisbane six weeks ago when they name their team after arriving in Hong Kong Tuesday.

It could even include prop Greg Somerville, who wasn't named in the 35 but will travel on standby for first-choice tighthead John Afoa, whose knee niggle may rule him out.

365

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