All Blacks release 12 players after SA tour

SQUAD UPDATE: Twelve members of the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad will represent their provincial unions this weekend during Round Six of the NPC.

George Bell and Ethan de Groot will bolster the Canterbury and Southland front rows respectively when the sides meet in Invercargill this Friday.

On Saturday, loose forwards Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson will join Waikato when they take on Hawkes Bay in Hamilton, while Tauranga’s fixture will feature prop Pasilio Tosi for Bay of Plenty and lock Josh Lord for Taranaki.

A further six players will feature in Sunday’s provincial clashes, including George Bower for Otago against Counties Manakau; Harry Plummer and Patrick Tuipulotu for Auckland against Northland; and David Havili will help Tasman in its Ranfurly Shield defence at Lansdowne Park, while Billy Proctor and Ruben Love join Wellington.

Due to long-haul travel and recovery protocols, the first attendance with their respective teams for players involved in Friday or Saturday games will be captain’s run, while those playing on Sunday will join their teams for training from Friday.

The list of All Blacks playing for their provincial teams is as follows.

Friday, September 13:

Southland v Canterbury – Rugby Park, Invercargill
Southland: Ethan de Groot
Canterbury: George Bell

Saturday, September 14:

Bay of Plenty v Taranaki – Tauranga Domain
Bay of Plenty: Pasilio Tosi
Taranaki: Josh Lord

Waikato v Hawkes Bay – Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Waikato: Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson

Sunday, September 15:

Counties Manakau v Otago – Pukekohe
Otago: George Bower

Tasman v Wellington – Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Tasman: David Havili
Wellington: Billy Proctor and Ruben Love

Northland v Auckland – Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei
Auckland: Harry Plummer and Patrick Tuipulotu