New Zealand Rugby
All Blacks call up Gear and Elliot
ESPN Staff
May 26, 2012
The Highlander's Hosea Gear  is challenged by the Rebel's Luke Jones, Highlanders v Rebels, Super Rugby, Rugby Park, Invercargill, New Zealand, March 30, 2012
Hosea Gear will join the All Blacks squad in Wellington © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Hika Elliot | Hosea Gear | Cory Jane | Keven Mealamu
Tournaments/Tours: Ireland tour

The All Blacks have called Hosea Gear and Hika Elliot into their training camp in Wellington prior to their three-Test series against Ireland.

Chiefs hooker Elliot replaces Keven Mealamu, who is struggling with a calf injury, while Gear - capped eight times - replaces Cory Jane, who has a sprained ankle.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen still hopes Mealamu will be fit to take part in the Tests against Ireland next month.

"As for Keven, he has been struggling with a calf injury for some time now," he said. "He had a second scan before he came into the All Blacks camp last week that revealed he has suffered a second strain in the same calf. It's in a different part of the same calf so we are taking a prudent approach with him.

"We already have two utilities in the wider training squad in Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison, who can also cover fullback, so the selectors have decided that we need to have a specialist wing in the mix so Hosea Gear gets that opportunity."

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