The All Blacks selectors have named two somewhat depleted trial teams to play each other at McLean Park, Napier on June 3.

Although the match between the Probables and the Possibles is called an All Blacks trial, many of the countries' leading players won't be involved.

They have either been named in the New Zealand Maori squad to play matches against Fiji and the British and Irish Lions, or are in the Crusaders squad playing in this weekend's Super 12 final.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has always stipulated that the Maori selectors would take precedence and that any players involved in the Super 12 final wouldn't be considered.
Henry said in a statement while several leading contenders for the test squad would be missing, the trial still held an important place in an on-going selection process.

"The trial gives more of our leading players the chance to press for a place," Henry said.

"We have an All Blacks team to pick and also the Junior All Blacks. We face a demanding test schedule this year and we're likely to need more than just 22 players. This is a good time for players to put up their hands."

Five Crusaders players have been included in the trial -- prop Campbell Johnstone, first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens, winger Scott Hamilton, hooker Tone Kopelani and centre Casey Laulala.

" These guys should be reasonably fresh given their playing time over the course of the season," Henry said.
The Probables team will be led by 2004 All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga. Notable selections include Waikato flyer Soseni Anesi's naming at fullback, with regular All Blacks custodian Mils Muliaina moving to centre to partner Umaga in the midfield.

Otago's Nick Evans will play at first five-eighth while Bernie Upton is a surprise selection at lock. Johnstone will start at tighthead prop and Auckland's Derren Witcombe at hooker.

Six players were not considered due to injury -- Auckland first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea, Southland lock Hoani MacDonald, Otago hooker Anton Oliver, Waikato centre Niva Ta'auso, Wellington prop Neemia Tialata and North Harbour centre Anthony Tuitavake.

The Probables will be coached by the All Blacks coaching staff, with the Possibles to be coached by the Junior All Blacks' coaches, Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

The All Blacks squad to play Fiji will be announced the day after the trial.

Teams:
Probables: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Tana Umaga (captain, Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Nick Evans (Otago), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Steven Bates (Waikato), Craig Newby (Otago), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Ali Williams (Auckland), Bernie Upton (Bay of Plenty), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Derren Witcombe (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).
Reserves: Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Clarke Dermody (Southland), Kevin O'Neill (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Andrew Mehrtens (Canterbury), Seilala Mapusua (Otago).
Possibles: Ben Atiga (Auckland), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Brent Ward (Auckland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Steve Devine (Auckland), Nick Williams (North Harbour), Josh Blackie (Otago), Chris Masoe (Taranaki), James Ryan (Otago), Ross Kennedy (Wellington), John Afoa (Auckland), Andrew Hore (captain, Taranaki), Saimone Taumoepeau (Auckland).
Reserves: Tone Kopelani (Canterbury), Carl Hoeft (Otago), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Kevin Senio (Bay of Plenty), Jimmy Gopperth (Wellington), Casey Laulala (Canterbury).
NZPA