The All Blacks have confirmed wing/centre Rieko Ioane, who played for Irish club Leinster while on sabbatical earlier this season, has been invited to train with the squad ahead of the Nations Championship test against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.
Ioane’s omission from All Blacks coach Dave Rennie’s first squad of 2026 was a major talking point when the group of 34 players was named late last month, although Rennie hinted the experienced player would be considered for the tour of South Africa in August and September.
Left wing Leroy Carter was injured in the test against Italy in Wellington at the weekend, and appears unlikely to be available to play Ireland.
He was replaced by debutant Josh Moorby at the Cake Tin.
The All Blacks coach says bringing Ioane into camp gives them a bit of outside back cover.
Rennie did not provide an update on how the possibility of Carter or Fineanganofo being available for the Ireland test, or the likelihood of Ioane making the game day squad.
The All Blacks will name their team to play Ireland on Thursday and Rennie confirmed Luke Jacobson who was replaced at half-time against Italy, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who was scratched on game day the previous week against France with calf tightness, are both on track to be available.
Meanwhile, Rennie confirmed that former All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will not recover from back surgery in time to tour South Africa.
Last year’s skipper under Scott Robertson, Barrett did not play a single minute for the Crusaders during their Super Rugby pacific campaign due to a back injury that required surgery.
Rennie ruled out any possibility that a quick recovery could see him sneak into the squad.
The All Blacks will play Ireland at 7.10pm Saturday.
In other games, Japan will face France at 8.40pm Saturday, the Wallabies will meet Italy at 10.10pm, the Flying Fijians play Scotland at 1.10am Sunday, the Springboks face Wales at 3.40am, while Argentina hosts England at 7.10am.
