The All Blacks have gone to the well and added three more players to their squad for the historic test against Samoa in Apia next week.
Tom Taylor, Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivala, as well as Ofa Tu'ungafasi, George Moala and Brad Weber who were added last week, are in the frame to play against Samoa.
Ngatai's presence in the squad is the least surprising as he's been a player on the rise for two seasons now and pushing hard for inclusion. Taylor has three caps and will almost certainly be on the plane to Apia early next week to ensure the All Blacks are not caught out of something should happen to either Dan Carter or Colin Slade.
But the inclusion of Tamanivala, who barely played for the Chiefs this year - his first in Super Rugby - carried an element of surprise.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said the 22-year-old midfielder caught their eye in last year's ITM Cup when he was superb for Taranaki.
"He had a fantastic season last year for Taranaki and he's very strong in the midfield, he's got a lot of pace and probably disappointed in the Super competition to not get too many opportunities in what was a pretty handy midfield in Charlie [Ngatai] and Sonny [Bill Williams]," said Hansen.
"When you make up the bench, he didn't bring the versatility of someone like [Andrew] Horrell. He's in behind two guys who are both here as well."
The All Blacks will take 29 players to Samoa for Wednesday's game, and the match-day 23 will be announced on Monday morning.
