“All Blacks Boosted by Veteran Comebacks and Fresh Faces for Rugby Championship Opener”
Barrett sustained his injury during the second Test against Fiji on July 20. Although he was included in the 36-man All Blacks Rugby Championship squad announced on Sunday, his fitness is still being monitored.
Head coach Scott Robertson selected a 32-man squad for the two Tests against England and the Test against Fiji in San Diego, all of which New Zealand won.
Robertson has kept all those players and added four more for the Rugby Championship, which kicks off with home Tests against Argentina in Wellington on August 10 and in Auckland on August 17.
Former captain and 95-Test veteran Sam Cane has been brought back into the squad after recovering from a back injury, providing additional depth in the back row. Uncapped Hurricanes fullback Ruben Love has also earned his first international call-up.
Will Jordan, a fullback or winger, returns to the squad after missing the entire Super Rugby season due to a shoulder injury, and David Havili is back as an option in the midfield.