Rugby: Munster's stars ruled out of All Blacks clash

Munster should have the services of winger Doug Howlett against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks will take on a weakened Munster outfit in their midweek Grand Slam tour match after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed its test players would be unavailable.

The match falls in between Ireland's test matches against the All Blacks (November 15) and Argentina (November 22) which has prompted the IRFU to rule out any Munster player involved in the Ireland internationals.

"This has been the position since the game was originally agreed with the IRFU and that decision was made bearing in mind both the importance of IRB World Ranking points available for the Ireland team this November and the physical impact on players participating in high level games in such a short space of time," the IRFU said in a statement on their website.

The decision takes away some of the gloss of the fixture, which was organised to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Munster's famous victory over the All Blacks in 1978.

Munster are the current European champions and eight of their players featured in Ireland's last test against the All Blacks in Wellington earlier this year.

The All Blacks play Munster at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick on November 18.

- NZ HERALD STAFF