New Zealand squad contains nine uncapped players

ALL BLACK coach Graham Henry may use the three-Test matches against Ireland (June 7th) and England (June 14th and 21st) to have a look at some new faces.

Henry, who lost 11 Test players since the World Cup, has selected a 25-man training squad that contains nine uncapped players.

The former Welsh coach is also without several key players, who may join the squad after the weekend's Super 14 final in which the Canterbury Crusaders are involved. The final 26-man squad will be announced on Sunday.

Some unknown players, such as the talented outhalf Stephen Donald may come into the reckoning.

"The next test up for him is to play Test rugby," said Henry. "Hopefully he will get the chance this year."

Others such as backrow Jerome Kaino, Auckland secondrow Anthony Boric and centre Richard Kahui are all included, with Kaino seen as a possible replacement for the retired Jerry Collins.

Collins, who is likely to be playing in Europe next season, may not have been picked anyway due to indifferent form. Henry said that he had told Collins there were other players performing better than he was.

"I talked to him two weeks ago and said to him that it was a very competitive position and that other guys were playing better than he was at the time," said Henry.

"We watched him play against the Blues for the Hurricanes and the semi-final against the Crusaders last weekend and things didn't change a great deal in that respect."

Other regular Test players are in the squad with Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith all included.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD (Crusaders players not included): J Afoa, A Boric, D Braid, J Cowan, S Donald, T Donnelly, A Hore, R Kahui, J Kaino, S Lauaki, B Leonard, K Mealamu, M Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, K O'Neill, J Schwalger, S Sivivatu, C Smith, R So'oialo, A Thomson, N Tialata, A Tuitavake, P Williams, T Woodcock, R Wulf.