Slade gets another crack with ABs
Colin Slade, the ultimate yo-yo of the game in New Zealand, is back with the All Blacks.
Slade and uncapped hooker James Parsons have been called into the All Black squad – which arrived in London on Monday – as injury replacements.
All Blacks play England at Twickenham on Sunday – while they then face Scotland and Wales over the next two weekends.
Both players were in London, after playing for the Barbarians in their 36-40 loss to Australia at the weekend, and have been called up as replacements for injured hooker Nathan Harris and wing Cory Jane.
Harris suffered an ankle injury and Jane a hamstring strain during New Zealand's 74-6 win over the United States in Chicago.
Parsons joins Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu as the hookers in the touring squad, while Slade provides cover at flyhalf, inside centre and fullback.
The North Harbour and Blues hooker, Parsons, thanked fans for their support – expressing his gratitude on Twitter.
Parsons said he's "looking forward to getting stuck into the week ahead!"
Assistant coach Ian Foster admitted that being in London already was a factor in Parsons being selected.
"I guess it was made a little bit simpler that he is over here. I guess what is more important is that he has just come off a big game of rugby where maybe the other guys haven't had much rugby in the last two or three weeks," Foster said.
"He certainly earned his spot. He has played well for the Blues. He has done well for North Harbour and again we're looking forward to getting him in here."
Slade is coming off a standout performance against the Wallabies for the Barbarians and also scored the match-winning goal against the same opposition for the All Blacks in Brisbane last month.
He isn't a straight replacement for wing Jane, but Foster said he deserves to be back in the squad.
"We are probably going to have to readjust a few plans now that CJ [Jane] has gone which is disappointing for him," Foster said.
"The thing with Slade is that he has been with us a quite bit through the Rugby Championship anyway and he played really well. He was unlucky to miss out so he will certainly come into contention."
Thanks for all the messages of support. Looking forward to getting stuck into the week ahead!
— James Parsons (@jamesparsons27) November 3, 2014
