The All Blacks’ locking stocks have been further depleted for the Test against Ireland in Chicago after Luke Romano was ruled out for personal reasons.

Romano will fly home to attend a family bereavement, leaving Patrick Tuipulotu as the only capped lock fit to play on Saturday following injuries to first choice pair Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.

The starting options are Crusader Scott Barrett, who was initially named as tour injury cover, or Hurricane Vaea Fifita, who was added when Retallick was diagnosed with concussion last week.