Henry names wider NZ squad

Openside flankers Tanerau Latimer and Scott Waldrom have been named in a New Zealand wider training group that will assemble in Auckland on Monday.

Openside flankers Tanerau Latimer and Scott Waldrom have been named in a New Zealand wider training group that will assemble in Auckland on Monday.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named a 25-strong group that does not include any players from Wellington or Canterbury, the teams who will contest the final of the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday.

Latimer (Bay of Plenty) and Waldrom (Taranaki) are both in contention for openside back-up spot behind captain Richie McCaw for the upcoming tour to Hong Kong, Britain and Ireland.

Waldrom's Taranaki team-mate, lock Jason Eaton, who has not played for the All Blacks since November 2006, has also been named in the squad as have loose forward Liam Messam, props Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh plus wing Joe Rokocoko who is looking to regain his spot on the wing after injury.

The group, which also includes all incumbent All Blacks not playing in the cup final, will have a training game against a New Zealand Barbarians side, coached by Pat Lam, on Wednesday.

The camp ends on Thursday and Henry will announce his 35-man squad for the tour on Sunday.

New Zealand wider training group: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki, Jamie Mackintosh, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina, Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Scott Waldrom, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Rudi Wulf.