New Zealand Rugby will be left rueing turning down putting a return clause in flanker Matt Todd's contract with Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights, amid an ongoing loose forward injury crisis.
With Sam Cane suffering a fractured neck against South Africa last weekend, Ardie Savea is now left as the only specialist number seven with the All Blacks squad.
According to Stuff , Todd's Japanese club offered New Zealand Rugby a clause in his current deal that would allow him to be selected despite it breaching selection policy of representing an offshore side - which was turned down.
As things stand, North Harbour's Dillon Hunt and Hawke's Bay's Gareth Evans are the most likely replacements, although neither of the pair have yet played a Test match.
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