Schmidt gets call as All Blacks and Ireland hit by Covid

New Zealand's preparations for the first Test against Ireland were thrown into disarray on Monday after head coach Ian Foster, two of his assistants and two players tested positive for Covid-19, with the visitors also hit by the virus.

To help cope with the disrupted build-up New Zealander Joe Schmidt, who coached Ireland from 2013-2019, was rushed into camp to attend All Blacks training sessions.

Ireland also suffered a setback with wing Mack Hansen testing positive, while forwards Iain Henderson and Rob Herring both picked up knocks in weekend training and will undergo scans later Monday.

Munster's Niall Scannell has been added to the squad to provide additional cover at hooker and is expected to arrive on Tuesday, Ireland said in a statement.

Foster, forwards coach John Plumtree and defence coach Joe McLeod are all isolating while infected New Zealand players David Havili and Jack Goodhue - both specialist midfield backs - have not joined the squad in Auckland ahead of Saturday's series opener.

Braydon Ennor, who has played four Tests and is a teammate of Havili and Goodhue at newly-crowned Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders, was called in as cover.

?? SQUAD UPDATE | Head Coach Ian Foster and Assistant Coach John Plumtree have tested positive for Covid 19 and are isolating at home. David Havili and Jack Goodhue have also tested positive and are also not with the team in Auckland. Braydon Ennor has joined the team. pic.twitter.com/upp3GI6chg

New Zealand regulations require Covid-positive patients to undergo seven days of home isolation from when they first notice symptoms.

This potentially rules out Foster, Plumtree and McLeod from attending the Test at Eden Park, although it is unclear when their isolation periods