Ten All Blacks who travelled to Baltimore for the fourth test are available for NPC sides this weekend, joining squad members who returned home from South Africa without travelling to the US.
Five All Blacks are set to play in the Tasman v Bay of Plenty fixture at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park on Thursday. Tasman will have Timoci Tavatavanawai and Noah Hotham, while prop Pasilio Tosi and outside backs Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa will be available for Bay of Plenty.
Northland will have the services of loose forward Simon Parker for Saturday afternoon’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties Manukau. 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 Hawke’s 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.