 Henry is building towards next year's World Cup in France |
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has offered hope to fringe players by saying four squad places are still available for the autumn European tour. The squad will be named after the Air New Zealand Cup final and that number could rise after Doug Howlett injured a knee playing in the competition.
"There are four positions in the 32 where we are looking at alternatives," Henry told the Dominion Post.
"We've got our favourite and one or two others we are looking at."
As well as Howlett, utility back Luke McAlister is a doubt with a shoulder injury, but Ali Williams and Richie McCaw remain in contention despite neck injuries and concussion respectively.
Henry said the demands of the four-Test tour would present a tough physical challenge.
"This tour will be more difficult because we play two Tests against France, who are the number two ranked side in the world, and Tests against England and Wales, and we've got a six-day turnaround between England and France," he said.
All Blacks' November Test schedule:
5 Nov: England (Twickenham) 1530 KO
11 Nov: France (Stade Gerland, Lyon) 2000
18 Nov: France (Stade de France, Paris) 2000
25 Nov: Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) 1700
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