Ricky Riccitelli has taken advantage of every opportunity he’s been given.
When Hurricanes incumbent hooker Dane Coles went down injured at the start of the 2016 Super Rugby season, Riccitelli was signed as a short‑term injury replacement player.
Impressing the right people with his play, he earned a full‑time contract and helped the team win the title in his debut year.
Two years on, the young Taranaki No.2 has been called into the All Blacks squad.
Riccitelli has been called up to replace Nathan Harris in the extended squad ahead of the third test against France in Dunedin on Saturday, with Harris leaving the squad to attend the birth of his first child.
The All Blacks will take on France at 7.35pm Saturday while the Wallabies will host Ireland at 10pm.
[Source: NZ Herald]
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