All Blacks unleashed on the NPC
NEWS: The bulk of the All Blacks squad named at the weekend will assemble with their National Provincial Championship teams this week.
They will be available to play in the opening round of the competition, which kicks off on Friday.
Two players, new All Black lock Quinten Strange and hooker Dane Coles, are still recovering from injuries and are unavailable.
Four others – Joe Moody, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Braydon Ennor – will be assessed by medical staff this week before a decision is made on whether or not they can play this weekend.
The players currently available to don their provincial colours this weekend, if required, are as follows:
Friday, September 11
North Harbour versus Canterbury
(North Harbour Stadium, Auckland – Kick-off: 19.05)
North Harbour: Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Canterbury: Codie Taylor, Samuel Whitelock, Cullen Grace, Richie Mo’unga and George Bridge.
Saturday, September 12
Waikato versus Wellington
(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton – Kick-off: 14.05)
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie.
Wellington: Asafo Aumua, Ardie Savea and Thomas Perenara.
Otago versus Auckland
(Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – Kick-off: 16.35)
Auckland: Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke.
Counties Manukau versus Tasman
(Growers Stadium, Pukekohe – Kick-off: 19.35)
Counties Manukau: Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii.
Tasman: Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan.
Sunday, September 13
Northland versus Manawatu
(Okara Park, Whangarei – Kick-off: 14.05)
Northland: Jack Goodhue.
Manawatu: Aaron Smith.
Taranaki versus Bay of Plenty
(Taranaki Community Stadium, Inglewood – Kick-off: 14.05)
Taranaki: Tupou Vaa’i and Jordie Barrett.
Southland versus Hawke’s Bay
(Rugby Park Invercargill – Kick-off 16.35)
Hawke’s Bay: Brad Weber.
