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Rawlinson is chosen for All Blacks
![]() South Africa-born Rawlinson preferred to play for New Zealand. WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Prop Clarke Dermody and lock Greg Rawlinson will make their test debuts for New Zealand against Ireland on Saturday, after being included in the 22-man squad named by coach Graham Henry on Tuesday. Three other players, flanker Jerome Kaino, flyhalf David Hill and wing Scott Hamilton could also make their test debuts off the bench in the match at Waikato stadium in Hamilton. Kaino and Hill have previously appeared for the All Blacks, but not in tests. Canterbury winger Hamilton sprung into national contention after solid provincial and Super 14 performances for Canterbury over the last two years. "We are pleased for the new All Blacks," said Henry. "We are pleased to have more players of international caliber available to the team. "We want depth to be a strength for New Zealand rugby." Loose forward Troy Flavell, who can also play lock, has been included in the squad after returning from two seasons in Japan. He last played for the All Blacks in 2001. Dermody, who formed probably the best front row combination in Super 14 with fellow All Blacks Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver, is a specialist loose head and is being seen as a potential backup to Tony Woodcock, who is still recovering from a calf injury, as Henry advances his World Cup plans. Rawlinson, who rebuffed approaches from South Africa coach Jake White to return home and play for his country of birth, will partner Chris Jack in the second row after Jack replaced the injured Ali Williams. Ankle injuryWilliams has an ankle injury and was forced to withdraw from the squad on Monday. He is likely to replace Jack in the squad for the June 24 match in Buenos Aires against Argentina. New All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will lead the team from the side of the scrum and has been partnered with fellow open side flanker Marty Holah and Wellington Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo in the loose forwards. Holah will probably play open side, while McCaw switches to the blind side of the scrum, where he played several times for the Canterbury Crusaders during the Super 14. Wellington center Ma'a Nonu gets the first opportunity to stake a regular claim for the number 13 jersey after the retirement of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga in January.
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