BBC Sport Online exclusive

New Zealand coach John Mitchell looks set to field an under-strength side during the November friendlies against England, Wales and France.

Half-backs Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, as well as centre Tana Umaga are likely to be left at home by the Kiwis, as they bid to blood a number of youngsters ahead of next year's World Cup.

The All Blacks will open their tour against England on 9 November, but according to former All Black hero Zinzan Brooke, Mitchell will not risk his most experienced players.

"I can safely say that Mitchell won't bring his strongest side," Brooke told BBC Sport Online.

"So I don't expect to see players such as Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, or even Tana Umaga and full-back Leon MacDonald here.

"The fans may be disappointed, but it's no different to England's recent tour to Argentina.

"If the World Cup was in Europe next year they would be coming, but it's not.

"Players like Mehrtens and Marshall have nothing to prove and they have played masses of rugby this season already."

Brooke also backed wing Jonah Lomu to return to New Zealand honours.

"Jonah needs a good tour," Brooke said. "So it's vital that he's fit enough to be included.

"He will have to push himself and prove to the management that he's still got the desire for international rugby.

"He'll always be Jonah - a gamebreaker - but he has to get back into the swing of things.

"It would be stupid to rule him out and say his internationals career is over, because he's still young and he's got so much experience already."