Rugby-Dixon, Squire lead six uncapped players in All Blacks

(Adds details, quotes) WELLINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - Otago Highlanders loose forwards Elliot Dixon and Liam Squire have been called into the All Blacks squad for the first time for the world champions' three-test series against Wales next month. Dixon and Squire were among six uncapped players named by coach Steve Hansen on Sunday, with fellow loose forward Ardie Savea, prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and backs Damian McKenzie and Seta Tamanivalu also included. Hansen had been forced to overhaul his squad after six stalwarts, including former captain Richie McCaw, ended their international careers following the successful World Cup campaign last year. Dan Carter, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu all joined clubs in France after the World Cup, while Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock retired. The 57-year-old Hansen, however, had embarked on a succession plan when he became coach in 2012 in an effort to ensure the team was able to regenerate after the 2015 tournament. "We know that there's been a lot of interest around the selection of this first All Blacks squad of 2016, after what was a great season for us last year, and with a large group of experienced players moving on," Hansen told reporters in Auckland. "Many people, including our opponents, may be thinking we're vulnerable and are rebuilding. However, we don't have that mindset. Our mindset is about re-establishing and moving to a higher level. "That's our challenge to move to a higher level than we showed at last year's World Cup. "We have put a full stop on 2015." Number eight Kieran Read will take over the captaincy from McCaw. Hansen said the introduction of Squire and Dixon was reward for their performances in a bruising Highlanders pack, with their work rate, physicality, defence, ball-carrying and speed key to their selections. The biggest issue for Hansen appeared to be in the centres with Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty already established in the squad with the selection of Ngatai and Tamanivalu for the future. "We have got a young group in the midfield and we need to get a combination going pretty quickly," Hansen said. "The first three picked themselves but it was just a question mark on the fourth and we decided we would go with someone with promise and a strong up-side." All Blacks squad: Backs: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Damian McKenzie#, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Malakai Fekitoa, Seta Tamanivalu#, Charlie Ngatai, Ryan Crotty, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara*. Forwards: Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea#, Jerome Kaino, Elliot Dixon#, Liam Squire#, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano, Tom Franklin* Ofa Tu'ungafasi#, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris # uncapped player * in as injury cover (Compiled by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Ed Osmond)