All Blacks call up Highlanders loose forward Luke Whitelock as Jerome Kaino replacement
Tuesday 7 November 2017 11:29, UK
New Zealand have opted for Luke Whitelock to replace Jerome Kaino, who will play no further part on their month-long European tour.
Kaino sustained a posterior cruciate ligament injury while playing against Whitelock for the All Blacks in their 31-22 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Kaino, who has 81 caps for New Zealand, had won a recall to the side after missing the Rugby Championship competition.
He had been dropped by coach Steve Hansen at the end of the drawn British and Irish Lions series.
Whitelock, 26, joins a 43-man squad which includes his brother Sam. Luke Whitelock has a single cap for New Zealand, won against Japan in Tokyo four years ago.
New Zealand will go up against France in Paris in their second match on tour on Saturday.
They then take on a French XV in Lyon next Tuesday before finishing the trip with Tests against Scotland and Wales.
