All Blacks: Chiefs prop Karl Tu'inukuafe joins All Blacks squad as injury replacement

Karl Tu'inukuafe of the Chiefs. Photosport

Chiefs and North Harbour prop Karl Tu'inukuafe is to join the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement.

Tu'inukuafe will join the squad for the three-test series against France after prop Tim Perry suffered a hamstring strain yesterday. Perry will be reviewed by Crusaders medical staff over the next few days.

The All Blacks squad will hold a camp in Christchurch from Sunday to next Tuesday before assembling in Auckland on Sunday next to prepare for the first test.

The 25-year-old loosehead first came to prominence back in 2010 as part of the massive First XV front row at Auckland's Wesley College, where he propped alongside fellow Chief and All Black Nepo Laulala.

Tu'inukuafe made Counties Manukau age-grade teams and then took a couple of seasons off before kick starting his career with North Harbour in 2015.

He spent a season in French club rugby before returning home and was called into the Chiefs squad late last year by Coach Colin Cooper, initially in a development capacity. But injuries have seen him make the matchday squad regularly since round five and he has impressed so far in his debut Super Rugby season.