All Blacks home on leave

All Black coach John Mitchell has agreed to release seven members of his World Cup squad for National Provincial Championship duty.

Wellington, Canterbury and Otago have been allowed two All Blacks each for this weekend’s first division matches.

Canterbury welcome back winger Caleb Ralph and fullback Ben Blair for which shapes as a torrid Ranfurly Shield defence against Waikato.

Otago will have scrum-half Byron Kelleher and prop Carl Hoeft, back in action, Wellington will be bolstered by the return of number eight Rodney So’oialo and midfielder Ma’a Nonu, while Auckland get flanker Daniel Braid.

The All Black squad are to assemble in New Plymouth on Wednesday for a four-day camp, but the seven with leave passes will only stay until Thursday afternoon.