New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox have preferred the out-of-form Blues player Piri Weepu and newcomer Aaron Smith from the Highlanders.
The other Highlanders to make the squad are Ben Smith, Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison, Adam Thomson and Andrew Hore.
Hansen acknowledged Weepu hadn't been in good form but said he was a big-game player who had performed for the All Blacks in the past, most notably during the World Cup. He also added cover as an extra goalkicker.
He said Smith, who is uncapped, was one for the future. His pass was reminiscent of former All Black Graeme Bachop's and that could be key in what will be a robust series against Ireland.
The squad features seven new caps, including three players from the well-performing Chiefs forward pack: Hawke's Bay prop Ben Tameifuna, Bay of Plenty loose forward Sam Cane and Bay of Plenty lock Brodie Retallick. Crusaders and Canterbury lock Luke Romano is also a new cap in the forwards.
The new caps in the backs are talented Manawatu and Highlanders halfback Smith, and the exciting Hurricanes duo of Taranaki's Beauden Barrett and Wellington's Julian Savea.
Chiefs hooker and two-test All Black Hikawera Elliot will also come into the squad as an injury replacement for Keven Mealamu who is recovering from a calf injury.
The squad is made up of six Highlanders, 10 Crusaders, four Hurricanes, five Chiefs and five Blues. The squad will be once again led by 31-year-old All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and vice-captain Daniel Carter and is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs, with a combined total of 879 Test caps.
Players who were unavailable for selection due to injury include wider training group player Charlie Faumuina (calf), Anthony Boric (neck), Cory Jane (ankle), Richard Kahui (shoulder), Jerome Kaino (shoulder), Colin Slade (leg) and Isaia Toeava (hip).
Hansen said: "We have selected a really balanced squad of experienced players who have played with distinction over a number of Tests, and a group of young players with huge potential.
"The two wider training group camps we held over the last two weeks really helped us establish the selection of the squad and lay the groundwork ahead of the first Test. There's been a real energy, professionalism and excitement coming from all the players involved.
"There are always huge external expectations on the All Blacks. But, for us, we wouldn't want it any other way because what this does is raise our own internal expectations to an even higher level. We want to win Test matches, and we want to do it by performing well.''
The All Blacks squad assembles in Auckland today to prepare for the first test against Ireland next Saturday at Eden Park. The second test is at Christchurch's AMI Stadium (Addington) on Saturday 16 June and the third Test at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium on Saturday 23 June. The All Blacks side to play in the first test will be named this Thursday.
The squad is:
Backs - Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Julian Savea*, Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Tamati Ellison, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett*, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith*, Piri Weepu
Forwards - Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Victor Vito, Adam Thomson, Sam Cane*, Luke Romano*, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick*, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Tameifuna*, Tony Woodcock
(* indicates uncapped player)
