Mitchell confirms 30 All Blacks will tour
October 22, 2001

New All Blacks coach John Mitchell has confirmed that thrity players will tour Ireland, Scotland and Argentina next month.

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald he also insisted he would not wrap his potential Test players in cotton wool ahead of the big challenges.

"You have got to be smart and you have got to be sensible about it, too," he said. "I will leave some test players out. But you have also got to maximise your resources and when I select squads they are all picked because I have faith in their ability."

Of the decision to tour with just 30 he said, "I have never been a fan of giving away All Black jerseys," he said. "With a smaller group you find they are more committed, they become much tighter, more focused, and it creates greater competition."

Mitchell hasnot yet decided who will captain the side but has spent time discussing ideas with current All Black skipper Anton Oliver.

Mitchell also revealed discussions with former coach Wayne Smith, assistant Tony Gilbert and selector Peter Thorburn had been very helpful but clearly difficult for them after the disappointment of not being re-elected.

"But I am highly stimulated by what they have told me and everyone is being professional about this," Mitchell said. "I am turning over little stones and big rocks because I know what I want. I have to care for the players' feelings but at the same time I have to be objective.

"From day one, I have said I liked specialists and that means finding forwards to give aerial domination so we can apply pressure and those who have ground skills."

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