All Blacks update squad for Japan, Europe tours after injuries
Luke Jacobson will miss out on the tour due to injury
©Steve Haag
The All Blacks have made key changes to their squad for the upcoming season-ending tour of Japan and Europe due to injuries.
Loose forwards Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, and Dalton Papali'i have been ruled out, requiring adjustments to the lineup.
Uncapped 21-year-old loose forward Peter Lakai and lock Josh Lord, who played in the Rugby Championship, have been called up as replacements.
The duo will join the squad as it departs for Japan on Thursday, providing crucial cover for the team. Blackadder is out with a calf injury, Jacobson has suffered a fractured thumb, and Papali'i is dealing with an upper hamstring issue.
In addition to Lakai and Lord, seven members of the All Blacks XV squad, scheduled to face Munster and Georgia in November, will travel to Japan as training cover.
These players will later rejoin the All Blacks XV in Ireland, with the possibility of one more call-up to fill the 36th spot in the main squad.
"We are excited to be welcoming Josh back into the group and giving Peter Lakai his chance to wear the All Blacks jersey," All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said in a statement.
"We will assess the status of Ethan, Luke and Dalton's injuries prior to travelling to England, to determine whether we are going to require that additional injury cover."
The All Blacks' tour begins with a match against Japan in Yokohama on October 26, followed by a clash with England at Twickenham on November 2. The squad will then face Ireland, France, and Italy in successive weeks.
All Blacks squad:
Forwards - Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi
Backs - Cam Roigard, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a
