The Junior All Blacks and Maori sides have been named for their opening matches of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and Churchill Cup campaigns. These sides are basically A and B sides providing opportunities for last-ditch shots at World Cup selection. 

The Junior All Blacks are away against Manu Samoa in an almost mate-on-mate scenario with much of the home side featuring current or former New Zealand based players. The biggest selection surprises are  Stephen Brett at second five, while Marty Holah wins the race for open-side flanker.

There are 10 Crusaders in the squad including potent winger Rico Gear who was unlucky to miss All Black selection.  "Almost" All Blacks Jimmy Cowan and Clarke Dermody are joined by Stags team-mate lock Hoani MacDonald to take on a Samoan side which could include Highlanders' Kane Thompson and Filipo Levi.  The other players with points to prove are Mose Tuiali'i, Holah, Greg Rawlinson, Darren Witcombe and John Afoa.

The full side is 15. Cory Jane, 14. Rico Gear, 13. Casey Laulala, 12. Stephen Brett, 11. Scott Hamilton, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Mose Tuiali’i, 7. Marty Holah (captain), 6. Kieran Read, 5. Greg Rawlinson, 4. Hoani MacDonald, 3. John Afoa, 2. Derren Witcombe, 1. Clarke Dermody
Reserves: 16. Tone Kopelani, 17. Campbell Johnstone, 18. Ross Filipo, 19. Jerome Kaino, 20. Andrew Ellis, 21. Anthony Tuitavake, 22. Daniel Braid / Tane Tu’ipulotu

The Maori side trying to retain the Churchill Cup sees four players make their bid for debuts in Otago prop Keith Cameron, Southland centre Jason Kawau, Canterbury lock Isaac Ross and Wellington prop Hoani Tui.  Jarrad Hoeata joins the squad and reserves bench to cover for injured future star Liam Messam.

Rua Tipoki captains a side which contains a mixture of Super 14 and Air New Zealand Cup players. This Maori side is a shadow of former Maori sides who featured All Blacks and defeated the Lions in 2005. The continuing movement of players off shore has depleted the second and third string depth of New Zealand rugby, but this side is probably still strong enough to defeat Canada first up. Players to watch for are Shannon Paku, Rua Tipoki, Kristian Ormsby and Angus MacDonald who are probably the most illustrious of this Maori side.