Powerful Junior ABs named

The New Zealand Rugby Union has announced a strong Junior All Blacks squad to compete in the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, including the return of All Black Luke McAlister and brothers, Ben and Owen Franks.

McAlister last played for the All Blacks on 6 October 2007 in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss against France in Cardiff.

Other names in the squad include Tamati Ellison, Sione Lauaki, Hosea Gear, Jamie Mackintosh, Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake and Victor Vito to name a few.

The Junior All Blacks have a proven record in the Pacific Nations Cup and this year's team will be keen to maintain the record.

The Junior All Blacks will play Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Japan in the tournament, which takes place 12th June to 3rd July.

The two opening round of matches are to be played in Tonga and Samoa before the tournament moves to Fiji for a 17-day festival international rugby spread across three match venues, the TFL Stadium, Churchill Park and Lawaqa Park.