The Auckland Rugby Football Union has named a 33-man squad to prepare for
the Air New Zealand NPC 2001.

The squad includes two injured players - Orene Ai'i and Daniel Braid - and
the sole current Auckland All Black, Doug Howlett.

As well as veterans Robin Brooke (103 games for Auckland) and Eroni
Clarke (134), the squad includes youngsters such as Bradley Mika, Stephen
Bates and Tane Tuipolotu, who have recently showed strongly for the New
Zealand Colts. Sam Tuitupou, captain of the NZ Under 19 team, which recently won the World U19 Championship in Chile, is also included in the squad.

But notable omissions from the training squad are Craig Dowd and Craig Innes.
The veteran ex All Black prop Dowd was not considered as he is currently negotiating an early release from his contract with the NZRFU and is believed to be negotiating with British clubs. Ex All Black and former Manly rugby league player Craig Innes is playing club rugby and was available for selection. It has been agreed that Innes will continue training and will be available for selection if required.

Auckland NPC Training Squad

Nick White (Suburbs), Paul Thomson (Grammar Carlton), Christian Califano,
Lopeti Samiu (Papatoetoe), Keven Mealamu (Otahuhu), James Christian
(University), Robin Brooke (Marist), Charles Riechelmann (Grammar Carlton),
Bradley Mika (Otahuhu), Justin Collins (Marist), Xavier Rush (Marist),
Samiu Vahafolau (Grammar Carlton), Finau Maka (Otahuhu), Steven Bates
(Suburbs), Steve Devine (Marist), Ben Meyer (University), Carlos Spencer
(Ponsonby), James Arlidge (Pakuranga), Amasio Valence (Waitemata), Tane
Tuipulotu (Grammar Carlton), Jeremy Stanley (Ponsonby), Eroni Clarke
(Suburbs), Iliesa Tanivula (University), Justin Wilson (Marist), Joeli Vidiri (Grammar Carlton), Malili Muliaina (Suburbs), Sam Tuitopou
(Ponsoby), Tomato Leupolu (Suburbs), Tom Curtis (Suburbs), Gavin Williams
(Ponsonby), Orene Ai'I (Otahuhu), Daniel Braid (University), Doug Howlett
(Marist).