Keven Mealamu, Piru Weepu and Jimmy Cowan are among 12 All Blacks who have been released to play provincial rugby over the coming fortnight.
With Graham Henry’s side not in Tri Nations action again until September 13, Meelamu and Weepu join prop John Afoa, utility back Isaia Toeava, loose forward Sione Lauaki, fly-half Stephen Donald, lock Anthony Boric and wings Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf in being available for Air New Zealand Cup selection this weekend.
Cowan and back row Adam Thomson are not available for round four fixtures this weekend but they will be able to play in round five on August 22/23.
New Zealand are next in international action when they face Samoa in a one-off Test on September 3 before travelling to Australia for their final Tri Nations fixture 10 days later.
