All Blacks on club duty
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:19
Nine members of the current All Black squad have been release for provincial or club action over the next three days.
Waikato's Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui, Sione Lauaki and Kevin O'Neill are scheduled to play in the province's pre-season fixture against Japanese side Suntory at Waihi Beach on Thursday.
Flank Chris Masoe and prop Neemia Tialata, meanwhile, are available for Wellington's match against Otago on Friday, with Tialata likely to turn out for his club, Petone, on Saturday as well.
Also on Friday, North Harbour takes on Bay of Plenty in Tauranga with Anthony Tuitavake set to play for the visitors.
Southland will have errant scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan available for Saturday's match against Canterbury in Christchurch, while hooker Keven Mealamu is expected to play for Otahuhu in Auckland's club competition this weekend.
The All Blacks, who have a bye this weekend after going one-and-one against South Africa in the first two weeks of the Tri-Nations tournament, re-assemble in Wellington on Sunday to prepare for their next match - against Australia in Sydney on July 26.
