Wellington's Brad Shields is one of the unluckiest players to miss the All Blacks' upcoming tour of Japan and Europe but his provincial team mate Ardie Savea has been added under coach Steve Hansen's "apprentice scheme''.
All Blacks coach Hansen has named a 36 man squad that includes four uncapped players in Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock and Frank Halai plus Savea for the four week tour.
Halfback TJ Perenara is also uncapped but had been in the All Blacks squad earlier this season before suffering a stress fracture in his leg.
Luke Whitelock's ability to play No 8 earned him the selectors' tick ahead of Shields.
Hansen noted Steven Luatua and Liam Messam can also cover blindside flanker and No 8 as can skipper Richie McCaw.
Hansen confirmed 27 players will travel to Tokyo for the first test against Japan on November 2nd with the other nine travelling directly to Paris for the test against France a week later.
The All Blacks team :
Forwards: Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Fau-muina, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Dominic Bird, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock
Backs: Tawera Kerr Barlow, Aaron Smith, TJ Pere-nara, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Ma'a Nonu, Ryan Crotty, Francis Saili, Israel Dagg, Frank Halai, Cory Jane, Charles Piu-tau, Julian Savea and Ben Smith.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Source: Stuff Sports
