Experienced outside back Rieko Ioane has been called up to the All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of Saturday\u2019s Test against Ireland in Auckland.<\/p>\n
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that Ioane, who recently completed a sabbatical at Irish province Leinster, has been invited to train with the squad in the build-up to the eagerly anticipated Nations Championship Test at Eden Park.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old\u2019s omission from Rennie\u2019s original 34-man squad last month was a big surprise although the All Blacks<\/a> boss hinted that Ioane<\/a> would be considered for the upcoming tour to South Africa in August and September.<\/p>\n The 88-Test star, who is comfortable on the wing or at outside centre, comes into the squad after Leroy Carter was injured in last Saturday\u2019s Test against Italy in Wellington.<\/p>\n Leroy Carter an injury doubt<\/p>\n It appears that Carter, who was forced off with a shoulder issue in the first half against the Azzurri, is unlikely to be involved in the clash against Ireland.<\/p>\n His injury handed a debut to replacement Josh Moorby during New Zealand\u2019s 47-17 victory at Hnry Stadium.<\/p>\n Another rookie All Blacks outside back, Fehi Fineanganofo, was not available for the Italy Test due to a sore shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just gives us a bit of outside back cover,\u201d Rennie<\/a> said of Ioane\u2019s addition to the squad.<\/p>\n Rennie did not provide an update on whether Carter or Fineanganofo will be available for selection for the Test against Andy Farrell\u2019s charges, or the likelihood of Ioane being involved in the matchday squad.<\/p>\n Caleb Clarke, who started on the left wing in the All Blacks\u2019 34-32 win over France in their Nations Championship opener, was not in their matchday 23 for the Italy clash.<\/p>\n Rennie confirmed that Luke Jacobson, who was replaced by Test debutant Anton Segner at half-time against Italy, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who was withdrawn on matchday the previous week against Les Bleus due to calf tightness, are both on track to be available for the Ireland game.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of competition for places,\u201d Rennie said. \u201cBased on performances over the last couple of weeks, we\u2019ll make some calls around that.<\/p>\n Justin Marshall gives All Blacks a \u2018pass mark\u2019 despite \u2018categorically\u2019 failing to improve<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018The competition is tight\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be some really unlucky people missing out because guys have fronted pretty well for us, but the competition is tight.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a healthy problem to have.\u201d<\/p>\n