Injured All Blacks trio doubts for Ireland Test

Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali'i have been forced to drop out of the New Zealand squad due to injury and may miss the Ireland clash at the start of November.

The loose forwards will not travel with the squad for their trip to Japan and will be assessed before their tour of Europe.

Uncapped 21-year-old loose forward Peter Lakai and lock Josh Lord, who featured in the Rugby Championship, have been called up as cover and will travel with the squad on Thursday.

"We are excited to be welcoming Josh back into the group and giving Peter Lakai his chance to wear the All Blacks jersey," New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said.

"We will assess the status of Ethan, Luke and Dalton's injuries prior to travelling to England, to determine whether we are going to require that additional injury cover."

Blackadder has been sidelined by a calf injury, while Jacobson has a fractured thumb and Papali'i is struggling with an upper hamstring issue.

Seven members of the All Blacks XV squad, who will play Munster (2 November, Thomond Park) and Georgia on their autumn tour, will also be travelling to Japan as training cover.

These players will then join the All Blacks XV squad in Ireland, with the possible exception of one further call-up to cover the 36th spot in the squad, the team said.

The All Blacks start their tour against Japan in Yokohama on 26 October before meeting England at Twickenham on 2 November.

They then face Ireland (Friday, 8 November), France and Italy in successive weeks in November.

New Zealand squad

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Sam