Romano returns home

Editor

New Zealand second-row Luke Romano will return home from Chicago after suffering a family bereavement, the All Blacks announced on Tuesday.

Romano was in line to start the fixture against Ireland at Soldier Field due to the injuries that had ruled out both Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.

But now it appears that Patrick Tuipulotu is likely to be partnered by either Scott Barrett or Steven Luatua, with Vaea Fifita another option at lock.