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MAFIA TEES
Just $20 a shirt, a steal!
Not often you steal from the Mafia and live to tell the tale...
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Black jersey beckons for 'stoked' Latimer |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Tuesday, 02 June 2009 |
In the space of a few short hours, Tanerau Latimer went from the depths of sweat-soaked despair to utter jubilation, though he did his best to hide it.
The Chiefs flanker is one of three new caps in the first All Black squad of the year, though yesterday's elevation came on the back of the hideous 61-17 Super 14 final thrashing by the Bulls in Pretoria.
If anything was going to keep his feet on the ground, a record pummelling was it but he admits an All Black call-up is one hell of a tonic.
"We're still trying to get over the loss and to play the way we did in the final wasn't very pleasing. We've had a meeting and talked about it but I guess life goes on," Latimer said.
"The good news was the All Black squad getting named - I'm bloody stoked.
"I was trying to hide my smile a bit but the boys have been awesome and really supportive."
His mix of dejection and elation was shared by his franchise skipper Mils Muliaina, who has assumed the All Black captaincy with Richie McCaw injured and Rodney So'oialo rested for this month's series against Italy and France.
Latimer enjoyed a few quiet beers with the All Black fullback after the match, gleaning some advice from the 68-test veteran on how to make the next step up.
"He talked to me a little bit about it and the other All Blacks in the squad have also given me a bit of advice. To be honest though, we haven't really spent a lot of time thinking about it because we're still moping from the final."
The other new caps are Crusaders duo of prop Wyatt Crockett and lock Isaac Ross, who at least had a week to recover from their beating at the hands of the Bulls in the semifinal.
Muliaina's selection as captain was pre-ordained once the All Blacks' coaching panel decided Hurricanes No8 Rodney So'oialo would spend June recuperating from a neck injury - and recharging spent batteries.
"Rodney has had an incredibly demanding Super 14 season, starting in 13 of the Hurricanes matches this year and that follows several years of intense, top-level rugby," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.
"We are taking a proactive approach and giving him some time to recover and rehab."
Crockett, who has been on the fringes of All Blacks selection for more than 12 months, slots in behind premier loosehead prop Tony Woodcock but gangly second rower Ross will start the season opener against France at Carisbrook on June 13 alongside Brad Thorn.
In the only surprise of the team announcement, little-used Hurricanes lock Bryn Evans was promoted from the Junior All Blacks squad to train with the All Blacks while Ali Williams regains fitness.
Liam Messam and Kieran Read, blindside flankers for their respective franchises, will contest the No8 berth for the June tests. Jerome Kaino is seen as a specialist No6.
There were few surprises in the 12-strong back division.
Stephen Donald is the only specialist first five-eighth a position to be covered by Piri Weepu, the squad's third-ranked halfback behind Jimmy Cowan and Brendon Leonard - also likely to miss the first French test as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Rudi Wulf has first dibs on Sitiveni Sivivatu's right wing berth though Isaia Toeava's versatility might also see him feature out wide. Wulf, who played four tests in his debut season last year, was preferred ahead of Chiefs' finisher Lelia Masaga and Anthony Tuitavake.
The All Blacks go into camp in Auckland between Wednesday and Friday, then shift to Dunedin.
All Black squad: Backs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard
Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Isaac Ross, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu.
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Steamers 2010 |
| : ITM Cup |
| Position: 8 |
| 31 July: Waikato, L 10-13 |
| 6 Aug: Hawke's Bay, W 30-11 |
| 14 Aug: Auckland L 6-11 |
| 20 Aug: Taranaki, L 15-24 |
| 29 Aug: Harbour, W 39-29 |
| 3 Sep: Canterbury, Away |
| 9 Sep: Manawatu, Baypark |
| 19 Sep: Counties, Baypark |
| 24 Sep: Otago, Rotorua |
| 30 Sep: Wellington, Away |
| 10 Oct: Tasman, Away |
| 16 Oct: Southland, Baypark |
| 21 Oct: Northland, Away |
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