Test veteran Adam Blair has been recalled to the Kiwis squad for next week’s Test against the Kangaroos in Townsville following the injury withdrawal of forward Jeremy Smith.
Smith injured his shoulder in Cronulla’s elimination final loss to Canberra in the first week of the NRL finals.
A medical report from his new club Newcastle, prompted further examination and an MRI scan this week has shown the severity of the shoulder injury had been underestimated.
Blair, who was a surprise omission from the initial squad named this week has played 25 Tests and is the third most-capped player in the Kiwis squad, behind Simon Mannering (29) and Benji Marshall (26).
New Zealand meet Australia in the end of season Test on October 13.