Jason Eaton's experience and versatility has seen him earn a recall to the 30-man New Zealand squad for the Tri-Nations series.

The Hurricanes and Taranaki lock has been playing at blindside flanker for the Junior All Blacks during their title-winning Pacific Nations Cup campaign in recent weeks.

Eaton and wing Hosea Gear, who scored eight tries in four games for New Zealand's A side in the tournament, were the biggest beneficiaries on Saturday.

Last year's end of season grand slam tourists to Britain and Ireland returned to the senior side after being overlooked for the Tests against France and Italy.

Ali Williams' need for surgery on a troublesome Achilles injury and the absence of his Blues team-mate Anthony Boric (broken toe) has paved the way for Eaton to join veteran second rower Brad Thorn and rookies Isaac Ross and Bryn Evans in the squad.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said the 10-Test experience of the 26-year-old and his ability to play two positions had counted in his favour.

"He's played a bit at loose forward for the Junior All Blacks at six," Henry told Radio Sport. "Our number one lock (Williams) and our third lock (Boric) are injured so it gives us a wee bit of flexibility on the bench.

"It was important not to bring another rookie in who hasn't played for the All Blacks, we've got enough of those."

Gear has replaced exciting wing Lelia Masaga, who was a late call-up to the All Blacks when Rudi Wulf injured his shoulder prior to the opening Test against France in Dunedin.

Henry also welcomed back three of his most senior players from injury - loose forwards, captain Richie McCaw (knee) and Rodney So'oialo (neck), and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder).

"I haven't seen Rodney look better," the coach said. "I spent some time with him a week ago and he looks in real good shape.

"Siti's shoulder, which he has been rehabilitating, is in much better shape now than it was at the end of the Super 14. Richie is jumping out of his skin."

Henry and his assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have gone for a 17-13 split between forwards and backs, opting for a fifth prop in Owen Franks.

Liam Messam is probably the biggest casualty from the June Tests. The number eight has made way for So'oialo but was not helped by a lacklustre display in the first Test against France.

George Whitelock, who scored a try when he made his debut off the bench against Italy, lost out to Tanerau Latimer in the race to be McCaw's openside back-up.

After three scratchy performances, Henry admitted the team was under no illusions how challenging this year's Tri-Nations would be.

"It's going to be a huge contest right from the first Test. But this group of players has the resolve and the character to meet that challenge head on so we are expecting it to be another massive competition between the three top-ranked countries in world rugby," he said.

The All Blacks open the defence of their title against Australia in Auckland on July 18 before they head to South Africa for two Tests against the Springboks.

Players not considered for selection due to injury include lock Williams (Achilles), wing Wulf (shoulder), flanker Adam Thomson (hand), centre Richard Kahui (shoulder), lock Boric (toe), halfback Andy Ellis (ribs), hooker Corey Flynn (forearm), flanker Scott Waldrom (back) and fly-half Daniel Carter (Achilles).

The injury news continues with utility back Isaia Toeava likely to miss the opening three Tests with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Fly-half Stephen Donald is also recovering from a hamstring strain.

The All Blacks squad will assemble in Wellington for a two-day camp next week (Wednesday and Thursday) and four players will assemble with the squad for the camp as cover: Hurricanes and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison, Crusaders and Canterbury first five-eighths Stephen Brett and 2008 All Blacks Ben Franks and Anthony Tuitavake, who were all members of the victorious Junior All Blacks squad.

New Zealand squad

Forwards: John Afoa (Auckland), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Bryn Evans (Hawke's Bay), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Richie McCaw (Canterbury, captain), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Kieran Read (Canterbury) Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Cory Jane (Wellington), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Joe Rokocoko (Blues), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington).

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