Alando Soakai to assemble with squad

Tamati Ellison has been named captain of the Junior All Blacks squad competing in this year's IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

Ellison was co-captain of the New Zealand Maori team that won the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. He has represented New Zealand at the Junior All Blacks, Under 21 and Under 19 levels and was a gold medal winning member of the New Zealand Sevens team at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Highlanders flanker Alando Soakai will join the squad tomorrow as temporary cover for Hawke's Bay's Karl Lowe who is on paternity leave.

As announced yesterday, Canterbury's Stephen Brett has replaced Luke McAlister who has been called into the All Blacks squad as replacement for Richard Kahui.