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ABs released for Air NZ Cup duty

Tuesday 19th August 2008

Auckland boost: All Black hooker Keven Mealamu

Twelve members of the current All Blacks squad will be available to their provinces for the next two rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup.

Ten players have been released for both rounds four and five.

Auckland, struggling at the bottom of the Air New Zealand Cup, will welcome back several of their All Blacks.

Prop John Afoa, hooker Keven Mealamu and utility back Isaia Toeava will return to Auckland for their Ranfurly Shield defence against Manawatu at Eden Park on Saturday.

North Harbour, bottom of the table, will have lock Anthony Boric, and three-quarters Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf back in their side for this weekend's contest against Waikato.

Waikato, the 2006 champions, will also be bolstered by the return of fly-half Stephen Donald and number eight Sione Lauaki, while Wellington will have prop Neemia Tialata and scrum-half Piri Weepu to call on for their game against Southland in Invercargill.

Otago's Adam Thomson and Southland's Jimmy Cowan will play in Round Five games.