Conrad Smith
All Blacks centre Conrad Smith will skip Saturday’s Test against Scotland so he can return home to deal with a family matter, reports said Monday.
Coach Steve Hansen said “the 33-year-old Smith, who played his 84th test on Saturday and became a father for the first time in August, would miss the Test in Edinburgh.
However, he will again return in time for the Test against Wales on 22 November.
“It’s not overly serious but it’s serious enough for him to have to go home,” Hansen told reporters.
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“Everyone [in Smith’s family] is healthy which is great, but obviously it’s a personal matter so I can’t answer any more questions on it.”
As long as he gets the issue sorted out he’ll be back.”
Towering lock Brodie Retallick is also reportedly out of the Scotland Test, after injuring his shoulder in New Zealand’s 24-21 win over England at the weekend.
Crusaders lock Dominic Bird has been called into the All Black squad as cover for Retallick, although the 23-year-old – whose only Test was against Japan last year – is unlikely to play at Murrayfield, as the All Blacks are well stocked at lock.
Retallick and Sam Whitelock started against England, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Jeremy Thrush ran out against the United States in Chicago a week earlier.
Also on tour is Luke Romano, who Hansen says is fit for selection this week. The last of Romano’s 16 Tests was a year ago, before he broke his ankle playing Super Rugby for the Crusaders in May.