Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell has recovered from his ankle injury and is likely to take his place in a new back row against Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday, but the news isn’t as promising for in-form No 7 Dalton Papalii.
Papalii, who has had a big workload this year, picked up a calf injury against Tonga and his unavailability could open the door for versatile Crusaders standout Ethan Blackadder.
“We’ll make a few changes, definitely,” All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree said after All Blacks training on Tuesday. “We’ve got a squad that’s pretty hungry to impress.
“We’ve got one more game after this before we get into the Bleds [Bledisloe Cup matches]. These players all want to have a crack and we want to give them the opportunity.
“Dalton has got a bit of a calf at the moment from the weekend. We’ll just monitor it through the week but he’s struggling at this stage,
“And we’ve got a couple of long-term boys. Anton Lienert-Brown is progressing well, Ardie [Savea] is progressing. We’ll make calls on them later in the week.”
Savea’s knee flared up during the final game of the Hurricanes’ last game in Super Rugby Trans Tasman, meaning that the All Blacks’ depth in the No 7 jersey is being tested.
Sam Cane is on the comeback trail from a pectoral injury, and the Chiefs No 7 – one of the All Blacks’ best last year – is not expected back until later in the year.
However, the All Blacks still have options – in part due to the versatility of Blackadder and Luke Jacobson.
Either one could wear the No 7 jersey this week, while Hoskins Sotutu is worthy of a crack at the No 8 jersey after a powerhouse display for the Blues in the Super Rugby Trans Tasman final.
Highlanders No 6 Frizell’s return would be welcomed as the All Blacks continue the search for a dominant No 6 option.
Frizell hasn’t played since hurting his ankle in round 4 of Super Rugby Trans Tasman, but he looked in good shape as he took part in some solid tackle-bag work with hooker Codie Taylor at the end of the training session.
His defensive prowess – especially on his home ground of Forsyth Barr Stadium – will be important against a Fijian side that has some big, mobile forwards who play in Europe, and Plumtree was predicting “a big step up” from the Tonga test.
“We know what they can bring in terms of their offloading game,” Plumtree said. “They are pretty extravagant in that department, so I expect that’ll happen on Saturday night.
“It’s been a bit part of our preparation, defensively. Scotty McLeod has been looking at stuff we can do to defend that.
“Under the roof is going to be fast, like all games down here.”
Plumtree also joked that Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot had been applying pressure on the coaches to select him, arguing that “the whole of Gore” was coming up to Dunedin to watch him.
“He’s really just jumping out of his skin to play,” Plumtree said. “That’s great, having that enthusiasm in the team. He’s been really good with us and he’s improving all the time.”
The Southland loosehead could get his wish, although a bench role is more likely on debut.
Nepo Laulala, Taylor and George Bower could get the nod in the starting XV, with de Groot wrapping his arm around the experienced Dane Coles as part of the reserves bench.
In the midfield, David Havili looked ready for action on Tuesday and could get a crack in the No 12 jersey filled so admirably by Quinn Tupaea last weekend.
