Lock Luke Romano has been included in a 34-man All Blacks squad to tour the United States and Britain, while Colin Slade and Steven Luatua have been omitted.
Romano hasn’t played for five months since breaking his ankle in a Super Rugby game for the Crusaders.
However, coach Steve Hansen says the 28-year-old is back training and hopes he will play at least one of the team’s four Tests in November.
There is no room for fly-half Slade, who came off the bench to kick a match-winning conversion for New Zealand in their 29-28 win over Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
Slade makes way in the squad for record Test points-scorer Dan Carter, who has also played limited rugby in recent months because of a leg fracture.
The other notable casualty is versatile loose forward Luatua who has played three Tests this year.
The 23-year-old makes way for 24-Test veteran Victor Vito, who played two Tests against England in June before being injured.
As expected, code-hopping midfield back Sonny Bill Williams is included after completing two seasons in the NRL.
The tour begins against the US in Chicago on November 1, followed by Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.
ALL BLACKS TOUR SQUAD:
Backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Augustine PuluForwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeremy Thrush, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Nathan Harris.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
The three will be rotated.
john
Guest
Can't deny his skills..his ability to break tackles, offload etc. But positioning on defence, reading defensive plays comes down to experience and playing the game for a long time. He doesn't have that experience.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
What, its more important in 15s than 7s? I dont think youve got that right, I dont see too many slow 7s players around.
Chan Wee
Guest
NZ MAORI to tour Japan NZ Maori squad: Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Codie Taylor, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Nicholas Barrett, Brendon Edmonds, Tom Franklin, Joseph Wheeler, Shane Christie (vc), Blade Thomson, Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Sean Polwart, Dan Pryor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Chris Smylie, Ihaia West, Marty McKenzie, Jason Emery, Charlie Ngatai (c), James Lowe, Matt Proctor, Kurt Baker , Joe Webber, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Robbie Robinson
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
He wont start ahead of Rettalick because Rettalick is a better player even when Romano is fit.
Beef
Guest
ABs rwc locking trio - Romano, Retallick, Whitelock.
Chan Wee
Guest
when he is fully fit Romano will start in the 2nd row. MIB wanted him to be the power lock - ala Brad thorn. too bad he has had a run of injuries.
Chan Wee
Guest
now its fiber-glass :)
moaman
Guest
Yes corp--he was one of the stars of last year's northern excursion.Pity for him he sustained that bad injury 'cause i think he would have solidified his postion this season; now the door is ajar and Jane is champing at the bit!
Chan Wee
Guest
@ corporal punishment : out and out speed is not a must in XV rugger coz the park is crowded. there are 31 people on the field so for someone to out run another is less possible than in 7S. guys like Ben Smith and Piutau and even jane relay on stepping than the speed. also both teams will have speed so it is difficult to outrun the other . i think one reason Folau is not on a wing is maybe becoz he is considerably slower than most of the counterpart wings like habana Savea Montero et al. also most of the time there is no sprint start between two or more players, usually they will be running in opposite directions, which makes one to have a disadvantage. most trys are scored by making the defender turn , whihc makes him to lose some of the speed.
ChrisCrus
Guest
Would love to see Romano back fully fit. In form he is a good player.
Common Sense
Guest
What about his glass ankle stage?
Common Sense
Guest
He's got a full Super Rugby campaign to sort that out, he'll be right.
Common Sense
Guest
Can we please stop putting 'FACT' in to sentences that are yet to be proven. It's been happening far too much on this site lately. FACT.
Chan Wee
Guest
SBW did not play a lot of NRL , he was injured for some time so he is still fresh. staying at home wont do him no good becoz the ITM is finished and he wont have time to get match practice. better to go on tour and play in some of the non-critical matches like USa and Scotland ? same will go for DC. he is to start in USA if fit , that has been already said by SH. then he will rest and play bit part. match practice is the most important for all coming back from injury or after a lay-off. off pitch fitness matter zilch in the tense game conditions.the difference between practice and actual game is the pressure. the pressure affects ur head more than the body. u can make mistakes at practice , without repercussions. :)
Chan Wee
Guest
SBW was the best 12 in NZ super rugger in 2012. the mistake he made from rugger point of view was to leave at that time. he was just getting the hang of all things with Cruden and the chiefs. now he will have to re-learn evrything , and he looked rusty during the little ITM he played. the 2015 super season will bethe decider BUT given he is a skilled player , bets would be for him to come good.
Garth
Guest
Carter should be left behind to let his leg heal properly, Slade should tour. SBW needs more than 60 minutes to refresh his Union skills,which is probably why they are taking him. Personally, I'd leave him home as well. Give him a decent off-season, let his body recover and let him earn the spot through next season's Super Rugby.
Chan Wee
Guest
DC seems to picking up injury after another. MIB want him becoz he is incomparable to any 10 in NZ atm. but the fact remains he has never completed a RWC . Slade is always there becoz just like Donald the coaches know what he can do (he went to 2011 RWC also). Barrett gets the chances to build the experience.
Chan Wee
Guest
Piutau was in the 7S like in 2011. He was not a regular but played in a couple of legs of 7S (which has 9 events). He was a young boy then just after winning the junior RWC in 2011. most 7s backs have simmillar levels od speed with only one outstanding guy - USA's Carlin Isles being an out-and-out sprinter.
corporal punishment
Guest
Moa, spelling noted. Sounds like Charles isn't an outright speedster, but I guess neither is Ben Smith and he is still extremely effective. I am looking forward to seeing more of him on the NH tour, as he has. great set of skills and seems to be very physical in the tackle.