The first All Blacks team of the year looks set to receive a major overhaul when it is named on Sunday morning (New Zealand time). Coach Graham Henry has done all armchair selectors a massive favour as he revealed an training squad of 25 which excludes all Crusaders who are playing the Super 14 final on Saturday.  

With the shift overseas of a plethora of talent and the disappointment of a failed World Cup campaign, it is definitely time for some fresh new talent. Exciting backs Richard Kahui, Stephen Brett and Anthony Tuitavake look set to boost the Test backline, while there are probable recalls for Ma'a Nonu, John Afoa, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid and Brad Thorn.  Some new forwards like Tom Donnelly and Kieran Read look set to help the All Blacks at set-pieces.

I am surprised at the exclusion of Chris Masoe. He is a victim of an obvious change of strategy by the selectors which saw him play for the All Blacks in the last three years in all three loose-forward positions. I think the new Experimental Law Variations mean the All Blacks need more of a scavenger for specialist back-up to Richie McCaw and this opens the door for Braid, in my opinion. Kaino will take Jerry Collins' place as blindside and No.8 cover, while rangy Crusader Read is the new Reuben Thorne with his ability to cover lock.

‘This season will be tough for the new-look All Blacks as they aim to rebuild in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup’


Jason Eaton and Piri Weepu are other surprise omissions and I am picking Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly for a call-up as back-up lock ahead of Kevin O'Neill. Weepu, who missed selection for the World Cup last year, is obviously out of the loop behind Crusader Andrew Ellis, Jimmy Cowan and Brendon Leonard. 

Eaton, Masoe and Weepu look set to join team-mate Collins overseas and this means trouble for the Hurricanes' franchise.

The move that included playing young Blues utility player Isaiah Toeava in the All Blacks over the last few seasons, including that World Cup defeat, is gratefully over. I guess it is a matter of judging when to pull the pin on an up-and -oming player.

Nick Evans misses out as he is going overseas. This opens the door for the Crusaders' Stephen Brett to back up Daniel Carter while Stephen Donald gets a call-up.

Some of those listed will not be seen in black until the end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere. Future potential All Blacks include lock Anthony Boric, Highlanders dynamo Adam Thomson, halfback Jimmy Cowan, Chiefs' Richard Kahui and Stephen Donald, outside back Paul Williams, prop John Schwalger and Blues' flyer Rudi Wulf. This training squad gives the selectors a chance to look at these guys.

Form Chiefs' winger Leila Masaga surprisingly misses out to Wulf, while Highlanders' impressive prop Jamie McKintosh is injured, but remains in contention for a future in the black jersey.

The selectors will go for experience, with the first three Tests of the season against Ireland and England, given that the first Test against Ireland is on a week after the Super 14 final. This means a potential call-up for some players with overseas contracts lined up, like Crusaders' prop Greg Somerville and fullback Leon MacDonald. 

This season will be tough for the new-look All Blacks as they aim to rebuild in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Training squad: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Kevin O'Neill (Waikato), John Schwalger (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Adam Thomson (Otago), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Paul Williams (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).