Recalled flanker Matt Todd admits he was surprised to be named in the All Blacks' 32-man squad for their northern tour, believing his overseas rugby stint would rule him out of international selection.
The 30-year-old is currently playing with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, but has been granted a special dispensation by New Zealand Rugby (NZR), because he is contracted to the NZR and Crusaders for 2019.
NZR doesn't usually allow the All Blacks to select overseas-based players, but a call went out to Todd, after Sam Cane's season ended with a fractured neck against the Springboks in Pretoria.
Todd will play in his 15th test for New Zealand against the Wallabies in Yokohama on Saturday, having been named on the bench with Ardie Savea starting in the seven jersey.
The openside flanker said it was nice to be back in the All Blacks environment.
"It's good to be back, I guess a little bit surprising," said Todd.
"I was over here enjoying on my footy and enjoying the Japanese lifestyle, but I guess the situation arose and I got the okay, and it's great to be back in camp.
"I thought when I came up here it just wasn't an option to come back. A little bit of a surprise when my agent rung me about it and when it got the green light, but a pleasant surprise all the same time.
"It's nice that when I came over here, I wasn't completely forgotten about. I guess there was an injury to Sam, with the circumstances that arose, and it worked out this way."
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