Henry aims for clean sweep

Henry: Talented squad

We believe it's a very talented team that we have got for this tour.

Graham Henry
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New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named seven new players in his 35-man squad for the autumn tour to Hong Kong and Great Britain.

Props Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh, loose forwards Scott Waldrom, Kieran Read and Liam Messam and backs Hosea Gear and Cory Jane are all in line to make their All Blacks debuts on a tour that starts with a Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Hong Kong.

The squad leaves New Zealand on Monday for Hong Kong where the All Blacks will play the Wallabies in the sold-out contest on Saturday - the first Test between the teams at a neutral venue outside a World Cup.

The All Blacks then travel to Britain for the rest of November with successive weekend Tests against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.

A midweek match against Munster to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the club's 12-0 win over the 1978 All Blacks has also been arranged, as the current crop of players aim to become the first New Zealand team to complete a "grand slam" of wins over the four home unions.

Rokocoko returns

Lock Jason Eaton has forced his way back into the squad after last playing for the All Blacks in November 2006, while Joe Rokocoko has overcome wrist and hamstring injuries to make his return.

There were also recalls for lock Ross Filipo and hooker Corey Flynn.

Those unlucky to miss out from the wider training squad were Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki and Rudi Wulf, while Leon MacDonald (concussion) and Brendon Leonard (knee) were not considered because of injury.

"We believe it's a very talented team that we have got for this tour," Henry said.

"We feel we have got the right balance with a nucleus of experienced All Blacks as well as seven new caps who have shown their class in the Super 14 and Air New Zealand Cup, for what is the most demanding Test match tour schedule faced by and All Blacks team in the professional era."

New Zealand squad:

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Jason Eaton, Ross Filipo, Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn.