Barrett back for All Blacks, while Dagg is out for the year

Barrett back for All Blacks, while Dagg is out for the year

Beauden Barrett has been called back in to the All Blacks squad to travel to Argentina.

 

Barrett, who was initially rested for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship trip to Argentina, has now been included as a late call-up. Barrett will be replacing Lima Sopoaga, whose partner is awaiting the birth of their first child.

 

Sopoaga was set to start his first test in 799 days, after impressing on his starting debut in a 27-20 win over the Springboks in 2015. 


 

With Sopoaga now unavailable, Barrett will likely be backed up by Damian McKenzie. Despite Barrett being called back in, midfielder Ryan Crotty, locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick and loose forwards Liam Squire and Sam Cane have all been rested for next weekend's clash.


 

Israel Dagg meanwhile will not require surgery on his knee and will be resting and working his way back to full fitness for the rest of the year and return to rugby in 2018.

 

 

The squad to travel to Argentina is:


Forwards: Wyatt Crockett, Kane Hames, Nepo Laulala, Jeffery Toomaga Allen, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu, Vaea Fifita, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea and Matt Todd.

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo.

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