New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have confirmed that 10 All Blacks, who were on international duty recently, are set to return to National Provincial Championship (NPC) duty this week.
The players will be back in action in the NPC after their recent participation in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa that included a four-Test series against the Springboks which the world champions won 3-1.
That series saw three Tests being played in South Africa while the fourth one took place in Baltimore, USA, and the All Blacks who will now be in action in the NPC are in addition to the players who returned from the tour earlier and have already featured for their provincial sides.
All Blacks to return to action in the Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand are set to face Australia in back-to-back Bledisloe Cup Tests next month and All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has allowed several members of his Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry squad to play for their provinces ahead of those encounters with the Wallabies.
A statement on the All Blacks’ official website revealed which players would be in this week’s round of NPC fixtures.
“Five All Blacks are set to feature in the Tasman v Bay of Plenty fixture at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park on Thursday, 24 September,” read the statement.
“Tasman will have Timoci Tavatavanawai and Noah Hotham available to add impact to the backline, while prop Pasilio Tosi and outside backs Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa will be available for Bay of Plenty.
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Simon Parker back for Northland
“Northland will have the services of loose forward Simon Parker for Saturday afternoon’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties Manukau at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei.
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“When Canterbury host Southland that evening, they will have lock Jamie Hannah available to call on, while Southland will be bolstered by loose forward Semisi Ta’eiloa.
“On Sunday, Taranaki will have the option to include lock Josh Lord in their line-up to play Hawkes Bay in Napier.
“Halfback Cortez Ratima, is a chance to feature for Waikato against Wellington on Sunday afternoon if he is medically cleared to play.”
The All Blacks v Wallabies Tests will take place at Eden Park in Auckland and Accor Stadium in Sydney on October 10 and 17 respectively.