The All Blacks are to expand their squad for the end-of-year northern hemisphere tour to take a third hooker and scrumhalf, coach Graham Henry said on Saturday.
The additional players will increase the touring squad to 32 from the initially planned 30.
The All Blacks will play four Tests, two against France and one each against England and Wales.
”We have a short turnaround between major Tests against England and France,” Henry said in a statement.
”It is prudent to have additional cover at the specialist positions, particularly given the time it would take to call in replacements from New Zealand.”
The All Blacks play England at Twickenham on November 5 and then France in Lyon on November 11.
The additional players will also enable Henry to build depth at hooker and scrumhalf as he prepares his squad for the schedule they can expect at next year’s World Cup.
”We have a sequence of four big Tests, which will be a significant challenge and a good ‘road test’ for us ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.” — AFP
