Liam Napier and Elliott Smith discuss injury gaps, who will cover the third halfback role and the Lions' win in the lead-up to the All Blacks tour squad naming. Video / NZ Herald
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named an extended squad for the Rugby Championship, featuring four new faces.
Simon Parker (loose forward), Tevita Mafileo (prop), Kyle Preston (halfback) and Leroy Carter (utility back) are the newcomers in the squad, which covers the six-test matches across the Rugby Championship starting withthe opening two matches in Argentina this month.
Mafileo, Preston and Carter have been named as injury cover in the 42-man squad with George Bower, Josh Lord and Finlay Christie also there as injury cover.
World Rugby breakthrough player of the year Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Wlliams return to the All Blacks after both missing the France series, while Hurricanes loose forward Peter Lakai also returns after making his debut late last season.
With Cam Roigard ruled out for the Argentina trip, and Noah Hotham already out for up to six weeks, Preston and Christie come in as halfback options to compete with Cortez Ratima for the starting spot.
