The All Blacks have suffered an injury setback on the eve of their second Test match against France in Wellington.
Caleb Clarke has sustained an injury in training and has been ruled out of the clash, with Emoni Narawa added to the team.
All Blacks setback
Clarke is the latest winger to be ruled out of the match following the head knock Sevu Reece sustained in the opening minutes of the first Test match.
His withdrawal sees Narawa, who was initially overlooked in the squad and named as injury cover, starts on the right wing with Rieko Ioane shifting back to the left.
“All Blacks winger, Caleb Clarke, has been withdrawn from the team to play France tomorrow night, after sustaining a high ankle injury during Thursday’s training run,” a New Zealand Rugby statement read.
“Clarke is having scans to establish the extent of the injury and his likely return to play, however he has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lipovitan-D July Series.”
The winger follows captain Scott Barrett in being ruled out for not just the second Test but the third as well in a major blow to Scott Robertson’s stocks.
The All Blacks boss opted for continuity in his selections for the second match.
“We’re focusing a little bit on continuity. The series is still on. We want to give them [the players] a chance to build their combinations,” he said.
“This is three-test series. We’ve got one down and there’s a big one on Saturday.”
Updated All Blacks team to face France
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Damian McKenzie
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf); Caleb Clarke (ankle)
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)