Patrick Tuipulotu and Stephen Perofeta have been ruled out of the All Blacks’ two-Test tour of South Africa due to calf injuries. However, Ethan de Groot and Luke Jacobson have been named in the touring squad.
Due to injuries, lock Tuipulotu and fullback Perofeta missed the two recent Tests against Argentina, while Josh Lord and Harry Plummer replaced them.
Prop de Groot and loose forward Jacobson, who missed last weekend’s Argentina match, have been named in the squad. His return has also boosted Scott Barrett (finger) after missing both Tests against the Pumas.
Barrett will likely partner Tupou Vaa’i in the second row in Johannesburg. Sam Darry, who has impressed in the last three Tests, will also push for a start.
Tamaiti Williams may also push de Groot to start the loosehead spot.
The 36-man squad travelling to South Africa is:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes / Wellington), Codie Taylor (Crusaders / Canterbury), George Bell (Crusaders / Canterbury).
Props: Ethan De Groot (Highlanders / Southland), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes / Tasman), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders / Canterbury).
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues / Northland), Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders / Canterbury)
Locks: Scott Barrett (Crusaders / Taranaki) (captain), Sam Darry (Blues / Canterbury), Josh Lord (Chiefs / Taranaki), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs / Taranaki)
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders / Tasman), Sam Cane (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs / Waikato).
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs / Waikato), Dalton Papali’i (Blues / Counties Manukau), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika / Wellington) (vice captain), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs / North Harbour)
Halfbacks: Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes / Wellington), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs / Waikato)
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett (Blues / Taranaki), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs / Waikato)
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes / Taranaki) (vice captain), David Havili (Crusaders / Tasman), Rieko Ioane (Blues / Auckland).
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs / Waikato), Billy Proctor (Hurricanes / Wellington)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues / Auckland), Will Jordan (Crusaders / Tasman), Ruben Love (Hurricanes / Wellington), Harry Plummer (Blues/Auckland).
Sevu Reece (Crusaders / Southland), Mark Tele’a (Blues / North Harbour)
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