Rugby: Jane likely for Wallabies test

Cory Jane
Cory Jane
Cory Jane is back in the black jersey and is likely to line up for the All Blacks when they take on the Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

All Black coach Steve Hansen named his squad for the match yesterday and Jane is back, after a lengthy break from a knee injury.

Jane tore a ligament in his knee before the season began and has got back on the field for Wellington in the ITM Cup only over the past couple of weeks.

Hansen, though, has had no hesitation in picking Jane in the 29-man squad for the test in Dunedin.

Jane is likely to come on to the right wing, where Otago's Ben Smith has had such an outstanding season. Smith will move in one slot and start at centre, as Conrad Smith starts his sabbatical.

Also back into the squad are midfield back Francis Saili and prop Ben Afeaki. Owen Franks is not included because of a groin injury.

Most of the All Blacks will arrive at Dunedin Airport at 10.45am tomorrow.

All Black forwards Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock have re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for another four years.

They have also recommitted to the Crusaders until the end of 2017.

''This is a significant re-signing for New Zealand Rugby, with the tenure of the players' contracts covering two major rugby events - the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017,'' New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said.

Read (27) has been in outstanding form at No8 for the All Blacks this year. And at 24, Whitelock has amassed 47 test caps and cemented his place as one of the starting locks in the All Blacks and Crusaders.

Read and Whitelock join in-form utility Ben Smith, who has also signed through to the end of the 2017 season.

New Zealand sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens says there is no reason Sonny Bill Williams cannot add Olympic gold to his NRL premierships and Rugby World Cup crown.

The dual-code superstar announced yesterday he intends to return to rugby union following next year's NRL campaign with the Sydney Roosters.

It means not only will Williams be able to try to earn All Black selection for the 2015 World Cup but he could be a part of New Zealand's team for the debut of sevens at the Olympics.

Tietjens, who has led New Zealand to 11 world series crowns and four Commonwealth Games gold medals, is in no doubt Williams would be a huge plus for his team.

''Most definitely - no question. He's got everything that we require in a sevens player,'' Tietjens told AAP at the Gold Coast world sevens series opener.

''He's got the work ethic. He's got the nutritional values and what they mean. He's an athlete and he's got all those skill sets that could make a very fine sevens player.''

Tietjens said Williams' decision to return to rugby union in 2015 would give him more than enough time to integrate into the set-up for Rio.

He said any All Blacks that expressed an interest would be given an opportunity in trials and also play in some of the world series tournaments.

''If they're good enough, they'll certainly be up for it.''


All Blacks
Dunedin squad

Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Ben Afeaki, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Tom Taylor, Ma'a Nonu, Francis Saili, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith


Additional reporting by AAP and APNZ.

 

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