Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has been left out of the squad for the All Blacks’ visit to San Diego to face Fiji on Saturday (12.30pm AEST).
“We’ve got a full squad bar Patrick Tuipulotu,” said All Blacks attack coach Leon MacDonald in confirming just one change to the squad that beat England 2-0.
“Patty’s was a decision around his fitness in terms of his body, his return into the [Super Rugby Pacific] final with a knee [injury], he rolled his ankle during that game and then two massive efforts against a really physical England pack. We just feel we need to look after him a little bit,” MacDonald said.
Sam Darry of the Blues celebrates on full time during the round 12 Super Rugby Pacific match between Blues and Hurricanes at Eden Park, on May 11, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
The lock was able to feature in the Super Rugby final and both Test against England.
He has been replaced in the squad by fellow Blues lock Sam Darry.
Meanwhile, MacDonald talked up the debut chances of Billy Proctor.
“Billy is fantastic. I experienced Billy for the first time with the New Zealand XV as a coach and really enjoyed the way he plays, but also he’s a good student of the game. He’s got a skillset and work rate that’s as good as any midfielder,” MacDonald said.
“He’s pushing really hard and waiting for his opportunity to play and he’s definitely a player that I think would handle test rugby really well.”
Proctor said he’s keen to pull on the black jersey.
“Soaking it all up and getting around all the info I need to around our maps and structures. Hopefully when the opportunity comes I’ll be ready, I am excited for when that opportunity hopefully does come and excited to get to work and putting my best foot forward,” he told reporters
“It’s quite intense and the boys have to be on a lot of the time… the boys get the reps at training and being at the game watching the boys being able to perform at the weekend is awesome.”