All Blacks coach Scott Robinson has made a surprise inclusion ahead of the Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks at Eden Park.
Leicester Fainga鈥檃nuku has returned to the All Blacks camp after being named as an injury replacement for Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Fainga鈥檃nuku signed an 18-month contract with French side Toulon after the 2023 Rugby World Cup but returned to New Zealand in recent months, playing for Tasman in the NPC.
He鈥檚 signed with the Crusaders for the next two seasons and wasn鈥檛 expected to be available for the All Blacks until the Northern Tour.
He played seven tests in 2022 and 2023 and was a breakout star at the last Rugby World Cup, scoring five tries.
Tavatavanawai will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship after breaking his arm in Tasman鈥檚 NPC clash with Otago on Saturday.
The midfielder fractured his radius and faces 12 weeks on the sidelines.
New Zealand Rugby released an update of player injuries ahead of Thursday鈥檚 team naming for the Eden Park test against the Springboks.
The biggest issue remains at halfback with Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham still facing up to four weeks before returning to action while Cortez Ratima is still in doubt for Saturday鈥檚 test with Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston remaining with the squad.
Patrick Tuipulotu is also three to four weeks away, meaning a potential return in the Bledisloe Cup.
On the positive, Tyrel Lomax is back fit after a thumb injury, while Anton Lienert-Brown has also been cleared after a concussion in the opener against Argentina.
Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson will get another NPC runaround before they鈥檙e considered for test selection.
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