Photo GettyThe All Blacks are taking plenty of precautions as they embark on the busiest stretch of their 2017 schedule. The upcoming schedule is set to take a toll on an already reduced All Blacks squad, with the likes of Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks and Joe Moody all long-term absences due to injury, and Ben Smith on a sabbatical. We know it's coming, it's a bit tough, but I think we do everything we can to make sure we turn up in good shape come game time." Coles' back-up, Codie Taylor, has had a significant workload this season, playing 825 minutes for the title-winning Crusaders in Super Rugby, and a further 115 in the Rugby Championship to date. Taylor credits All Blacks strength and conditioning coach Dr Nic Gill for changing up his schedule and giving him the space to re-energise.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 24, 2017 20:26 UTC