Read ready as ABs march on
As the All Blacks eased their way into their preparations for this week's second test against Ireland, they received a timely boost.
No 8 Kieran Read has been declared fit for the international in Christchurch on Saturday.
Read, who took a knock to the head in the second half, was given the all clear at Monday's training.
All Black assistant coach Ian Foster told a media scrum that Read is not suffering concussion and will feature at No.8 in the second international.
"No that's certainly not true, he's in a good spot," Foster said, when asked if Read had suffered concussion, adding: "Just had a half hour meeting with him."
However, there is a good chance that Victor Vito will be ruled out. The loose forward suffered a nagging medial ligament strain and is in doubt for the match.
Should he not overcome his ailment, he is likely to be replaced by Adam Thomson.
The All Blacks will name their side for the second test on Thursday, but are unlikely to deviate too far from the side which belted Ireland first up.
The men in black are back in Christchurch, preparing for their first test in the city in two years.
Foster was cagey about whether there'll be many changes for this week's Test in Christchurch.
"It's possible, but like I said I think the reality is we want to go out and build some combinations, and learn from last week."