Hemopo a likely lock in next test

The two groups of All Blacks for the second week of their Northern Hemisphere tour have become a little clearer as Saturday’s test against Japan looms.

With the 23 players who are heading to London midweek given a “sleep-in to try and freshen that group” by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, the remaining 27 members of the squad began preparations for the second test of the tour this weekend.

That group yesterday took part in a gym session at the base of a Japan Top League club — the NTT Shining Arcs.

Of that 27, only first-five Richie Mo’unga played in the win over the Wallabies in Yokohama.

That means Jack Goodhue, who has joined the squad in Tokyo after recovering from glandular fever, will be part of the group heading to England.

However, with Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett all joining the advance party, the All Blacks are left desperately short of locks.

Patrick Tuipulotu is the only specialist lock left following the injury-forced withdrawal of Luke Romano, with the All Blacks coaching staff deciding not to replace the 31-cap veteran.

That suggests Jackson Hemopo may have to revert to the second row, given Hansen’s desire to use Vaea Fifita solely as a No 6.

Like Fifita, Hansen stated they saw Hemopo solely as a blindside when he was called in to the All Blacks in June as an injury replacement.

However, the selectors will probably have to backtrack on that and use Hemopo in the position where he impressed for the Highlanders during Super Rugby.

Returning hooker Dane Coles will be the most experienced member of the Japan test squad, with 56 tests, but he’s dismissed the idea of being captain on his return.

Luke Whitelock, who captained the midweek All Blacks against the French Barbarians on last year’s Northern Hemisphere tour, looks set to reprise that role against Japan on Saturday.

Nigel Yalden is in Tokyo thanks to Air New Zealand.