All Blacks to take 51 players to Japan ahead of northern hemisphere tour

The All Blacks are set to take a squad of the 51 players to Japan ahead of their end of year northern hemisphere tour.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed he will be taking an extended squad of players to Yokohama, Japan to face Australia in their third and final Bledisloe Cup Test at the end of this month.

New Zealand are set to play Japan in Tokyo on November 3 before travelling to London to take on England. They will also face Ireland and Italy.

"We'll take 32 players to Europe, and we'll take 32 initially to Japan, then an extra 19 players will come over for the Japan week," said Hansen.

The All Blacks plan to fly 22 players early to London to prepare for England the following week at Twickenham.