All Blacks rest stars for South Africa Test

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has chosen to rest many of his top players as he named a 25-man squad to travel to South Africa for the Tri-Nations Test in Port Elizabeth on August 20. Skipper Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter were given a breather after the All Blacks' 30-14 win over Australia last weekend, along with Conrad Smith, Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina, Owen Franks, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Kieran Read. Hooker Keven Mealamu will captain the squad in McCaw's absence, while Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui, Tony Woodcock and Isaia Toeava all return from injury. Henry said the Test was a chance for players to press their case for selection in the Rugby World Cup, which begins in Auckland next month. "There is real excitement amongst the squad," he said. "We have players returning from injury who will be playing for the All Blacks for the first time this year, while others will be looking to take the opportunity to stake a further claim in the black jersey and ensure selection in the Rugby World Cup. "So we will have a team which is hungry to play well." The New Zealand squad: Forwards: John Afoa (Auckland), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Canterbury), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki)*, Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (captain, Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Adam Thomson (Otago), Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Victor Vito (Wellington). Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Cory Jane (Wellington), Ma’a Nonu (Auckland), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Auckland), Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury). * Hoeata will undergo a shoulder scan later Friday to assess his fitness to travel to South Africa. If he cannot make the trip, Tom Donnelly (Otago) will replace him.