Tj Perenara slides in for injured Finlay Christie

TJ Perenara has been called back into the All Blacks squad as injury cover for Finlay Christie, who hurt his shoulder during a training session on Thursday.

UPDATE: Halfback @Tj_Perenara has been called back into the All Blacks squad as cover, after Finlay Christie hurt his shoulder in training yesterday. The extent of Christie’s injury is currently being assessed by medical staff. #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/tyBUKw3xev

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 6, 2021

“Finlay got a bit of a bump and bruise yesterday,” said All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock.

“We had a pretty intense training and he’s just a bit beaten up. I don’t know much more than that.”

The 69-cap Perenara will only provide emergency cover for Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies, with Aaron Smith named to start his 100th test at No 9 and Brad Weber providing the halfback cover on the bench.