The New Zealand Rugby Football Union has announced a strong Junior All Blacks squad to compete in the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, including returning All Black Luke McAlister and two sets of brothers.

McAlister last played for the All Blacks on 6 October 2007 in their Rugby World Cup quarter final loss against France in Cardiff. He played two seasons for Sale in England's Guinness Premiership, during which time he did not represent his country, but has recently re-signed with the NZRU and is expected to make a swift return to the All Blacks side.

Owen Franks and older brother Ben are both named in the squad alongside Jacob Ellison and older brother Tamati.

"We have got a talented squad of established international players plus up and coming players," said co-coach Colin Cooper.

"The Junior All Blacks have a proud unbeaten record in the Pacific Nations Cup and this year's team will be keen to maintain that record," he added.

As New Zealand's second national team behind the All Blacks, the Junior All Blacks are a key part of the NZRU's High Performance Plan. The team gives more New Zealand players experience of international rugby and prepares players to step up to the next level if injury or form forces changes to the All Blacks squad.

Making the Grade

Several of the squad have represented New Zealand at Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Series or in Age Grade rugby during the last 12 months, including Israel Dagg, Victor Vito, Rene Ranger and Ryan Crotty, while Anthony Tuitavake is another All Black adding firepower to the side.

2007 IRB Under 19 Player of the Year Robert Fruean also makes a welcome return to representative rugby after recovering from the serious heart complications that resulted from contracting rheumatic fever.

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

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

The Junior All Blacks assemble in Auckland on 8 June and depart for Samoa on 11 June. Hurricanes and Wellington prop John Schwalger and Chiefs and Taranaki lock Craig Clarke will assemble with the Junior All Blacks squad below as cover for Bryn Evans and Owen Franks, who are assembling with the All Blacks.

Junior All Blacks squad for ANZ Pacific Nations Cup:
Ryan Crotty, Canterbury
Israel Dagg, Hawke's Bay
Aled de Malmanche, Waikato
Tom Donnelly, Otago
Jason Eaton, Taranaki
Hikawera Elliot, Hawke's Bay
Jacob Ellison, Wellington
Tamati Ellison, Wellington
Bryn Evans, Hawke's Bay
Ben Franks, Tasman
Owen Franks, Canterbury
Robert Fruean, Wellington
Hosea Gear, Wellington
Sione Lauaki, Waikato
Karl Lowe, Hawke's Bay
Luke McAlister, North Harbour
Jamie Mackintosh, Southland
Lelia Masaga, Counties Manukau
Alby Mathewson, Wellington
Rene Ranger, Northland
Colin Slade, Canterbury
Chris Smylie, North Harbour
Jeremy Thrush, Wellington
Anthony Tuitavake, North Harbour
George Whitelock, Canterbury
Victor Vito, Wellington