Former Blues captain Tuipulotu recalled, as locking crisis hits NZ camp

Former Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has been rushed into the All Blacks camp, with locks Sam Whitelock and Tupou Vaa'i both ruled out of the second test against Ireland on Saturday.

Whitelock is suffering delayed concussion symptoms from his starring role in the series-opener last weekend while Vaa'i is the squad's latest COVID-19 victim.

Since his 2014 debut, Tuipulotu has played 41 times for the All Blacks, but stepped away from Super Rugby Pacific this season to take up a contract with Toyota Verblitz in the Japan League Open competition.

The All Blacks will face Ireland at at 7.05pm this Saturday.

[Source: Newshub.co.nz]