Josh Ioane could be ready for his first Test appearance, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says, with the 23-year old named on the bench to face Tonga this weekend.
A bolter in Hansen's first squad of the year, 23-year-old Ioane was called into the All Blacks as a replacement for Damian McKenzie, ruled out with a knee injury.
Ioane's All Blacks career stalled from there, though. He was named on the bench for the first Rugby Championship clash against Argentina, the only player in the matchday 23 not to feature in the 20-16 victory.
However, with Richie Mo'unga unavailable through injury, Ioane will get another chance for a Test debut, covering for Beauden Barrett on the bench on Saturday.
Speaking to media in Hamilton today, Hansen said that he is confident of the young playmaker seeing some minutes off the bench.
"We don't know that he's going to finally play," Hansen began.
"That would assume that we already know what our bench is doing. We don't.
"Every game we play, we just read the situation [and] enter people into the game when it's the right time for the team.
"Is it more likely than not that he'll [Ioane] get some game time? Yeah, I'd suggest so.
"He's been with us now for a wee while. He's a lot more comfortable with what we're trying to do, he's a lot more comfortable in the environment.
"He's had a good week again this week, working hard on trying to drive the team, which is a bit overwhelming when you're a young fella.
"The big plus for us is that if he does get game time, if he's needed to come to Japan later on, he's done the whole lot. So it'll be good."
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