All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has drawn a line in the sand about who the All Blacks could take as an apprentice for this season's end-of-year northern hemisphere tour - no one.
Hansen told media in South Africa today ahead of the team's long flight home that the system, which has helped mould current All Blacks such as Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett in recent years, won't be used this year.
"Probably not this time," Hansen replied when asked about adopting an apprentice this year.
"Thirty-seven [team slots] should allow us to have enough people there getting educated.
"There probably won't be a need for an apprentice this time."
The decision could mean Wellington's 20-year-old sensation at hooker, Asafo Aumua, could have his chance to join the team environment delayed for a while.
"He's playing very well, especially around the park," Hansen said last month.
The NZ hooker scored three tries against England in his side's 64-17 Rugby Championship final. (Source: Other)
"But it's his core roles you really want to see him do well in and he's doing OK in those too. He's got a big future."
Aumua has earned 16 provincial caps for Wellington since debuting against the Hawke's Bay Magpies last year but the young hooker already has 10 tries to his name, including a brilliant 60m run against Canterbury three weeks ago against Canterbury.
The All Blacks play the Wallabies in a dead-rubber Bledisloe Cup Test match in Brisbane in two weeks before heading to Europe for their first match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 5.
Hansen will name his 37-strong squad later this month.
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