All Blacks name squad

Smith, Guildford and Delaney have impressed in the domestic provincial competition to force their way into the squad. Ellison was brought into the wider training squad during New Zealand's test matches earlier this year but did not play.

"This has been a difficult side to be select," said coach Graham Henry (pictured). "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected and they will be disappointed.

Henry added that the changing nature of the international game, where teams are kicking deep for territory and forcing the opposition to respond or run the ball back, had influenced the selections for the tour.

"Zac Guildford has had a great year and him and Ben Smith have got the skill sets needed in the modern game," Henry said.

"They're good under the high ball, they're good at the kick-chase game and can also counter attack in the back three and I think that was very important in their selection.

"Mike Delaney has got selected on form. We like his real positiveness when he plays. He's a really good kicker of the ball and he has got the ability to counter attack as well.

"Tamati Ellison has been in our group for some time. He trained in the Tri-Nations team and we were very impressed with him then."

Veteran winger Joe Rokocoko has been dropped after a frustrating season while lock Isaac Ross, who played in eight tests this year, was left out to work on his physical condition and add weight to his 1.99 metre frame, Henry said.

"We believe he has got things to work on to be a batter player," Henry said. "We have learnt about that during his time with us in the All Blacks.

"For him to be a strong scrummager and better in the cleanout in the breakdown he needs time to develop the strength to do that and we think that is important for him.

"He will come back and be a better player."

Scrum-half Piri Weepu had also been dropped so he can have surgery on a persistent ankle injury. Weepu only returned to the field on Saturday after sustaining the injury in the Tri-Nations.

"He is struggling with his ankle and his fitness," said Henry. "We just believe he needs time.

"He needs to get that operated on so he can come back and be a candidate for number one halfback for New Zealand.

"He has always been in the top two so he just needs that time."

New Zealand play Australia in Tokyo on October 31 before November matches against Wales (7th), Italy (14th), England (21st) and France (28th). On December 5 they face the Barbarians.

Forwards: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Corey Flynn (Canterbury) Owen Franks (Canterbury), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Richie McCaw (Canterbury, captain), Liam Messam (Waikato), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Adam Thompson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

Backs: Daniel Carter (Canterbury ), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty) Stephen Donald (Waikato), Andy Ellis (Canterbury) Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay) Cory Jane (Wellington), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Ben Smith (Otago) Conrad Smith (Wellington).