Lienert-Brown back for All Blacks for end-of-season tour

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Center Anton Lienert-Brown has been recalled to a 35-man All Blacks squad for matches against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England next month to plug injury-enforced gaps in the New Zealand midfield.

Quinn Tupaea and Jack Goodhue both are sidelined with season-ending injuries, leading to the recall of Lienert-Brown to a midfield group which includes Braydon Ennor and the league convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Winger Leicester Fainga’anuku also is back after not featuring in the Rugby Championship.

Head coach Ian Foster said the four-test tour to Japan and Britain would allow New Zealand to give more game time to some players ahead of next year’s World Cup in France.

“In the midfield you’ll see a return of Anton Lienert-Brown,” Foster said. “He’s a very experienced, seasoned player for us, played a lot of test matches and we’ve got a lot of faith in him.

“He’s coming back from a long-term shoulder injury but he’s now back playing and we can monitor him through the next two or three weeks but we’re excited about his inclusion in the group."

All members of the All Blacks Rugby Championship-winning squad who are not injured have been retained.

“The northern tour is always a highlight in the All Black calendar and this year is no exception,” Foster said. “With less than a year till the start of the Rugby World Cup, this tour gives us another great opportunity to grow from where we finished the Rugby Championship.

“Experiencing big test matches in the north is great preparation for what is to come in France next year.”

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New Zealand squad:

Forwards: Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu.

Backs: Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Stephen Perofeta, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece.

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