The Barrett Brothers are absent from the New Zealand group to start the tour
No Japan for the Barrett family. Six players, including three brothers, are absent from the New Zealand group, which took off on Saturday, for Japan to play its first match in its fall tour within a week. Coach Ian Foster said full-backs (or volley-half) Bewden, center Jordy and second-row Scott would stay in New Zealand for their grandmother’s funeral, and would join the squad later.
Whitlock and Jordan are also absent
Other absentees include Folau Vakatava, who made his international debut against Ireland in July and will be sidelined for several months after sustaining a knee injury in training. Two other players, Sam Whitelock and winger Will Jordan, will be out for an unknown amount of time with inner ear problems, although Foster has said he hopes Whitelock will return for the opening game in Europe, against Wales on 6 November.
Four additional players were called up to the squad: versatile linebacker Damian McKenzie, half Brad Weber, second line Patrick Tuipuluto, and hooker Asafu Oumuwa.
New Zealand begins their tour against Japan in Tokyo on October 29, before playing Wales, Scotland and England.
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