All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has called up Blues and North Harbour wing Mark Telea to his squad ahead of their opening end-of-year Test against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.
The 25-year-old replaces Crusaders and Tasman utility back Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is returning to New Zealand for family reasons.
Telea is the fourth member of the All Blacks XV squad to be added to New Zealand‘s senior squad after Patrick Tuipulotu, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber and Asafo Aumua were also called up as temporary cover.
Fainga’anuku is the latest member to withdraw from the three-time world champions’ squad for family reasons after the Barrett brothers – Beauden, Scott and Jordie – remained in New Zealand with their family after their grandmother passed away.
Second All Blacks call-up
Uncapped Telea was one of the Blues’ star performers in their run to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific final – which they lost to the Crusaders – and is no stranger to the All Blacks environment.
Earlier this year, Foster brought Telea into his squad as a replacement for Will Jordan after the Crusaders star was ruled out of the first Test against Ireland at Eden Park due to a positive Covid-19 test.
Jordan and experienced second-row Sam Whitelock also pulled out of the All Blacks squad ahead of the Japan Test due to ear infections, although Whitelock is expected to rejoin the group this week.
Scrum-half Folau Fakatava has also withdrawn from the 35-man group after rupturing a knee ligament and will be ruled out indefinitely, missing the entire tour.
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