(Reuters) – Auckland Blues’ uncapped winger Mark Telea has been called up to replace Leicester Fainga’anuku in the All Blacks squad for Saturday’s friendly against Japan, the team said on Tuesday.
Fainga’anuku is the latest player to retire from the roster on Monday after Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan and Folau Fakatava withdrew.
Jordie, Scott and Beauden Barrett have postponed travel with the squad following the death of their grandmother and are unlikely to play.
Telea, who had an impressive super rugby campaign with the Blues as they reached the final, was brought into the wider squad as extra cover after a COVID-19 outbreak at camp ahead of three Tests in July against Ireland.
The Test against Japan is the first of a four-game tour of the Northern Hemisphere, which will also see the New Zealanders travel to Europe to play Wales, Scotland and England.