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Uncapped Hurricanes prop called up by the All Blacks
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks have called up uncapped Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo as injury cover for the trip to Argentina as they prepare for their Rugby Championship opener.
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Doubts over the fitness of Crusaders tighthead Fletcher Newell, who hasn’t played since undergoing toe surgery, led to the selection.
Mafileo will join the squad in Auckland and fly out to Argentina on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Hurricanes prop played for the All Blacks XV last November and was named as one of five props in the XV squad to tour Japan but will now provide cover for the All Blacks.
Chiefs breakout star Shaun Stevenson is tipped to travel with the squad as Mark Telea battles injury, while Crusaders pair Leicester Fainga’anuku and Sam Whitelock also are in doubt.
Fainga’anuku has a calf complaint after the Super Rugby final while Whitelock played through an Achilles injury against the doctor’s recommendation.
The All Blacks ‘didn’t want him to play’ but the veteran managed to get through unscathed without further injury and is now battling soreness.
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