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Carter tries to escape the attentions of Jamie Heaslip in 2010. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Dan Carter returns as New Zealand name seven uncapped players in squad to face Ireland

Richie McCaw will captain the All Blacks for the three-Test series against the Irish, writes Patrick McCarry in New Zealand.

ALL BLACKS HEAD COACH Steve Hansen has called up uncapped talents Sam Cane and Julien Savea as part of the 30-man squad that will take on Ireland in three June Test matches.

Hansen, who took over from World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry, has kept faith with half-back Piri Weepu and was delighted to have out-half Dan Carter back in black.

He identified a series win and blooding new faces as two of the main goals for his side and insists the All Blacks will not be resting on the laurels of that Webb Ellis trophy win last October.

Hansen said, “We know that what we did yesterday is not good enough for today and we have a clear goal to recapture the World Cup in 2015.”

Back at 10

Carter says a five month break away from the game, following the groin injury that ended his World Cup after the group stages, has refreshed ahead of the upcoming series. He commented:

It is what I do and love. To be able to wear that 10 jersey and take the kicks. I’m glad that I’m able to do that now, pain free.

Carter’s international and Crusaders teammate, Sam Whitelock says the All Blacks will be expecting Ireland to hit them hard in the opening stages of the First Test at Eden Park next Saturday.

He said, “Last year they had a couple of really big wins. It is something we have to be aware of and show up right from the start.”

Whitelock believes the injury to Paul O’Connell is not all bad news for the Irish. He explained:

He’s played a number of Tests and is a key member of the squad but his absence opens the door for another guy, who will be fresh and excited to get in there and prove his worth.

The second-row also revealed that Brad Thorn, having spent a successful stint with Leinster, has refused to ‘cough up’ and information on unlocking the Irish line-out

New Zealand squad:

Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Wyatt Crockett (Cusaders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), Ben Franks (Crusaders), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Hosea Gear (Highlanders), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Andrew Hore (Highlanders), Richie McCaw (c) (Crusaders), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Ma’a Nonu (Blues), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Ben Smith (Highlanders), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), Adam Thomson (Highlanders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Piri Weepu (Blues), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Ali Williams (Blues), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Tony Woodcock (Blues).

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O’Connell forced to sit out summer tour

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8 Comments
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    Mute Mark Neville
    Favourite Mark Neville
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 10:12 AM

    Doesn’t matter who the All Blacks put out there, they’ll wallop us. Deccie Kidney is so conservative he wouldn’t change the wall paper let alone experiment with his line up. Badly needed overhaul won’t happen despite the opportunity being handed to him on a plate.

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    Mute Ognetty Fwetters
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 11:40 AM

    Spot on, Mark. Ireland need to shake the Munster bias and select on merit. Munster are a spent force, for the moment at least, and keeping ROG and company is doing more harm than good. They should indeed be exposing youngsters and testing where the future lies.

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    Mute Steve Wright
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 10:35 AM

    My admiration for Thorn just grows. Not coughing up the info on line out plus what he did for Leinster. #TrueLegend.

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    Mute Enigmatic Monkey
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 10:47 AM

    Thorn is a legend. Would love to see Leinster bring him in on a full time deal. Very unlikely but we live in hope!

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    Mute Martin Mac
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 12:21 PM

    Does anyone even know this is going on?? Ireland are going to get HAMMERED by the all blacks

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    Mute Craig Walters
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 12:45 PM

    Little thing called euro2012 going on still I reckon IRL got more chance against abs then Croatia Spain and Italy !!

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    Mute Elrat
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    Jun 3rd 2012, 2:29 PM

    Play the entire Leinster Team – it will show how far behind the AB they are! Any NZ club team would hammer them. Munster a spent force – ha ha – never ever write off Munster – the proudest province in Ireland .

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    Mute Enigmatic Monkey
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    Jun 4th 2012, 12:39 AM

    Could you name one Munster player, with the exception of Donnacha Ryan, who would keep a Leinster player out of that same position in the Irish side if it was picked on form?

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