The All Blacks are unlikely to have leaders Sam Whitelock and Aaron Smith on the plane for Perth as they await new babies

The squad is expected to fly out on Thursday for that test, which is expected to be either next Friday or Saturday night.

Whether Whitelock and Smith can join for the rest of the Rugby Championship in Queensland is up in the air as they would not be coming from interstate like their teammates.

Queensland will host the balance of the tournament from September 12th, with the 100th test between the All Blacks and Wallabies set down for Townsville two weeks later.

NZR boss Mark Robinson says it's a far cry from planned host Dunedin, but it is what it is.



And if Queensland encounters a Covid outbreak, SANZAAR boss Brendan Morris accepts they may be on the move to another state.



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