The return of Conrad Smith has brought a much-needed boost to the All Blacks camp, which is set to be without two senior stars for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Auckland.
All Blacks Ben Smith and Conrad Smith Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Smith missed the drawn first test after returning to New Zealand for the birth of his first child, who was born on Sunday night.
The veteran centre, who's played 77 tests, was back in camp yesterday... offsetting the experience lost by the likely unavailability of 92 test midfield partner Ma'a Nonu.
The assistant coach, Ian Foster, says Smith brought some energy back into the team.
He says Smith says it was hard to leave the team, it was the right decision and he's now jumping out of his skin.
Foster says it's likely Ryan Crotty will be picked ahead of Malakai Fekitoa to replace Nonu at second-five.
An injured Ma'a Nonu in the 2014 Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Flanker Jerome Kaino is also set to be ruled out with injury, with Liam Messam to take his place on the blindside flank.
The All Blacks team is named Thursday.
The Wallabies have named an unchanged lineup.
Meanwhile prop Charlie Faumuina has been declared fit for the game on Saturday after being ruled out last week with illness, while lock Patrick Tuipolotu is still suffering a high ankle sprain.
