All Blacks loose forwards Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali’i will not travel with the squad to Japan tomorrow for the start of the Northern tour due to injury.
In a statement this morning, the All Blacks revealed that Blackadder (calf), Jacobson (fractured thumb), and Papali’i (upper hamstring) would not be available for the Japan Test in Tokyo a week on Saturday.
Their injuries will continue to be assessed before a decision is made on whether they could be available to travel to England for the Test at Twickenham on Sunday, November 3, NZT.
"This is hugely disappointing for Ethan, Luke and Dalton, but we know they will be working on recovering well with a view to making themselves available again as soon as possible,” coach Scott Robertson said in a statement.
It is a huge blow to Blackadder, in particular, given his injury is the latest in a series that have severely curtailed his game time at Super Rugby and Test level.
After appearing to cement his place in Robertson’s top loose forward trio following the England series, an injury in South Africa opened the door for the impressive Wallace Sititi and the now 22-year-old has taken every opportunity.
Jacobson has been used as a bench player by Robertson, while Papali'i started both Tests at openside flanker against England but has since been overtaken by former skipper Sam Cane.
The uncapped Wellington loose forward Peter Lakai and Taranaki lock Josh Lord will come into the squad as cover. The pair had been named in the All Blacks XV squad and were likely to be with the All Blacks in Japan anyway.
“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.
In addition, seven members of the All Blacks XV squad will travel to Japan with the All Blacks as training cover: Hooker Bradley Slater, prop George Bower, the uncapped lock Fabian Holland and loose forwards Christian Lio-Willie and Oliver Haig, along with first-five Harry Plummer and midfielder or wing AJ Lam.
These players will then join the All Blacks XV squad in Ireland for their match against Munster, Robertson said, adding that there could be one further call-up to cover the 36th spot in the All Blacks squad.
The All Blacks will play Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy on successive weekends, with the All Blacks XV playing Munster in Limerick and Georgia in Montpellier.
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