All Blacks release seven players for NPC quarterfinals

Scott Robertson has released seven All Blacks from his wider squad for this weekend’s NPC quarterfinals.

Waikato get a trio of current All Blacks, including Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson, and Samipeni Finau, who will start in their quarterfinal against Otago in Dunedin tonight, although none were prominent in the Rugby Championship.

Lienert-Brown lines up with Bailyn Sullivan in their midfield, Jacobson starts at No. 8 alongside his elder brother Mitch, and Finau will start at lock.

Rookie test hooker Brodie McAlister has also been freed to play for Canterbury when they host Counties Manukau in Christchurch on Sunday, but he was named on the bench behind George Bell, who played three tests for the All Blacks last year.

Taranaki will have All Blacks lock Josh Lord starting their quarterfinal tomorrow night when they head to Napier to take on Hawke’s Bay.

Bay of Plenty will have two additional props, Pasilio Tosi and the uncapped Tevita Mafileo, when they welcome Tasman to the Tauranga Domain tomorrow.

Tosi starts at tighthead ahead of Mafileo, who has been listed in reserve.

Mafileo was added to the All Blacks squad as injury cover for last week’s trip to Perth, but he did not feature in the 28-14 win over the Wallabies last Saturday night.

The seven returning to their provinces are in contention to make the All Blacks’ squad for next month’s northern tour.

Robertson’s side starts in Chicago against Ireland on November 2nd before tests in Scotland, England, and Wales to complete the season.

Stuff.co.nz