 Thorne has played 41 Tests for the All Blacks |
Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne has been dropped from New Zealand's 26-man squad for the two-Test series against England this month. But fly-half Andrew Mehrtens, the highest scorer in All Black history with 932 points, has been brought back from the international wilderness.
Thorne captained the side to 18 victories in 22 games, including winning the Tri-nations series.
But he was replaced as captain by Tana Umaga 12 days ago.
Mehrtens, who added a touch of class to the shadow All Blacks in the Possibles v Probables trial match on Tuesday, is back in the fold after former coach John Mitchell slammed the door on him last year.
While he played well in the 24 minutes he was on the field for the Probables, Mehrtens has gained a place in the squad as much for the knee injury suffered by utility back Aaron Mauger in the trial. Mehrtens has played 66 Tests, the last one against Wales at the end of 2002.
The 22 for the first Test against England in Dunedin on 12 June will be named on Tuesday.
New Zealand squad: Daniel Carter, Jerry Collins, Nick Evans, Jono Gibbes, Carl Hayman, Marty Holah, Andrew Hore, Doug Howlett, Chris Jack, Byron Kelleher, Simon Maling, Richard McCaw (vice captain), Justin Marshall, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Andrew Mehrtens, Mils Muliaina, Keith Robinson, Joe Rokocoko, Xavier Rush, Greg Somerville, Carlos Spencer, Mose Tuiali'i, Sam Tuitupou, Tana Umaga (captain), Tony Woodcock.
MMIX
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