All Blacks lose another player ahead end-of-year tour

A seventh All Blacks player has been forced to withdraw from the team’s end-of-year tour of Japan and Europe.

On Friday it was revealed that six players would not fly out to Japan. The three Barrett brothers – Beauden, Jordie and Scott – have lost their grandmother and will delay travel to Japan.

Will Jordan and veteran lock Sam Whitelock have also dropped out, both suffering from inner ear issues.

“We’ve decided to leave them both at home until they are really clear,” he told reporters at Auckland airport.

While Whitelock is likely to meet up with the All Blacks squad in the UK, Foster was downbeat over Jordan’s chances.

“Will is probably a little bit worse … we’ll see if there’s any value in bringing him over.”

Scrumhalf Folau Fakatava ruptured his ACL graft after suffering the knee injury last year and could be in for another long spell out.

“It don’t look good. We’ll see whether it’s operable or a natural sort of fix … it’s devastating,” Foster said.

Now Foster’s side have now added Leicester Fainga’anuku to the list of unavailable players. It is believed that he has left the tour due to family reasons.

Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie and Patrick Tuipulotu were brought into the squad as cover in the All Blacks XV squad last week.

New Zealand face Japan next Saturday and then Wales, Scotland and England over four consecutive weekends.

Foster revealed Dane Coles was also struggling with a “mild calf issue”, with Asafo Aumua also travelling as cover.

The injuries could spell trouble for the All Blacks, who are expected to be put to the test in Europe after Rugby Championship losses to Argentina and South Africa.

This morning it was revealed that the All Blacks will face off against South Africa in a pre-RWC warm-up game in Twickenham in August of next year.

additional reporting AAP