The All Blacks could well need some bolstering in the loose forwards as they have announced some injury-enforced changes to the squad for their northern tour.
Injury-plagued Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder (calf) and fellow loose forwards Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring) will not be available to travel with the squad tomorrow.
Taranaki lock Josh Lord has been whistled in - indicating both that he is ahead of Fabian Holland in the pecking order of locks, and that All Blacks captain Scott Barrett might see time as a blindside on the tour. There is also a call-up for exciting Wellington flanker Peter Lakai.
‘‘This opens up opportunities for some other players, though. We are excited to be welcoming Josh back into the group and giving Peter Lakai his chance to wear the All Blacks jersey.’’
Robertson said it was possible one of the All Blacks XV players could be called up permanently to cover the 36th spot in the All Blacks squad.
Holland, a Tyro lock, and loose forwards Oliver Haig and Christian Lio-Willie, and prop George Bower will be among seven members of the second-string All Blacks XV squad heading to Tokyo with the All Blacks.
The others are Taranaki hooker Bradley Slater and Auckland backs Harry Plummer and AJ Lam.
While training cover does not necessarily mean a test appearance is imminent, it is an encouraging sign for the Otago foursome.
Bower already has 22 test caps and never seems too far away from the All Blacks squad, while Lio-Willie has been mentioned once or twice as a contender.
The big developers are 21-year-old Holland and 22-year-old Haig.
Holland, to be fair, has been on the radar for a while since shining for the Highlanders and Otago, and it seems certain the Dutchman will be an All Black before long now that his eligibility is sorted.
Haig would have been considered a vastly unheralded prospect as recently as a year ago. But he established himself as a Super Rugby player with the Highlanders this season and carried on that form with Otago, and he has an intriguing mix of aerial and physical skills that could springboard him to the top.
Forwards (position/age / Super Rugby club / province)
Bradley Slater (Hooker / 26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
George Bower (Prop / 32 / Crusaders / Otago)
Fabian Holland (Lock / 21 / Highlanders / Otago)
Christian Lio-Willie (Loose forward / 26 / Crusaders / Otago)
Oliver Haig (Loose forward / 22 / Highlanders / Otago)
Backs
Harry Plummer (First five-eighth / 26 / Blues / Auckland)
AJ Lam (Mid-fielder / 26 / Blues / Auckland)
These players will then join the All Blacks XV squad in Ireland, with the possible exception of one further call-up to cover the 36th spot in the All Blacks squad.
Said Roberston: "We will assess the status of Ethan, Luke and Dalton's injuries prior to travelling to England, to determine whether we are going to require that additional injury cover," Robertson said.
Upcoming fixtures for the All Blacks
Saturday 26 October- All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50PM (NZST), Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Sunday 3 November - All Blacks vs England, 4.10AM (NZST), Twickenham Stadium, London
Saturday 9 November - All Blacks vs Ireland, 9.10AM (NZST), Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 17 November - All Blacks vs France, 9.10AM (NZST), Stade de France, Paris
Sunday 24 November - All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10AM (NZST), Allianz Stadium, Turin
