All Blacks: Rookie to remain with squad after versatile stalwart withdraws from tour

David Skippers
Luke Jacobson and Peter Lakai image

All Blacks loose forwards Luke Jacobson and Peter Lakai.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has revealed that versatile loose forward Luke Jacobson will play no part in the team’s end-of-year tour due to injury, with Peter Lakai remaining with the squad as his replacement.

Jacobson was named in the All Blacks’ original 36-man squad for their Tests against Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy but stayed in New Zealand while recovering from a broken thumb.

However, Robertson has confirmed that he will not recover in time.

Lakai, who was initially included in the All Blacks XV squad for their matches against Munster and Georgia next month, made his Test debut as a replacement in New Zealand’s 64-19 victory over the Brave Blossoms in Yokohama on Saturday.

Still waiting on two other experienced loose forwards

Two other experienced All Blacks loose forwards, Ethan Blackadder and Dalton Papali’i, are still nursing respective calf and hamstring injuries in New Zealand and Robertson is hopeful they will join the squad ahead of their Test against France in Paris on November 16.

Second-row Josh Lord, who initially joined Lakai as injury cover for Jacobson, Blackadder and Papali’i, will also stay with the All Blacks until the team’s management have made a decision on whether the latter duo can join the squad in Europe.

Meanwhile, Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie, who was originally included in the All Blacks XV squad, has been invited to stay with the All Blacks squad as cover.

Robertson issued an update on Jordie Barrett, who has been sidelined for the past month with a knee injury sustained in their first Rugby Championship Test with the Wallabies in Sydney. The centre could make a return to action against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

“He has trained well with us, trained at a high level, a good intensity. He is kicking the ball well, he is available for selection,” Robertson said.

“It gives you depth in the squad, and a lot of experience.”

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Lakai and Hurricanes team-mate Ruben Love (utility back) became the latest All Blacks internationals when they both came off the bench in second half of their victory over Japan on Saturday with the latter scoring a brace of tries.

Lakai also showed some deft touches on attack and Robertson praised the duo’s performances after the match.

‘He was comfortable out there’

“First touch, it was a great pass from Peter,” he said. “He was comfortable out there and just had immediate impact.

“Ruben Love just takes his opportunities and chances, doesn’t he? It was a great start.”

Apart from the two debutants, Robertson fielded mostly second stringers in his matchday squad with the majority of his first choice players rested ahead of Saturday’s Test with England.

Robertson was happy with the overall performance of his side in their tour opener.

“Obviously, there was a lot of opportunities for our players; some new combinations, and to start with giving these guys an opportunity means we can play pretty much our whole squad in these first two Test matches on this tour,” he said.

“I was really pleased with how some stepped up to it, they’ll be better for the occasion.

“That’s a big Japanese team, I couldn’t believe how big and physical they were, and that’s ideal for us heading north.”

READ MORE: All Blacks overcome sluggish start to begin tour with convincing victory over Eddie Jones’ Japan