Luke Whitelock

Whitelock called into All Blacks

Highlanders and Canterbury loose forward Luke Whitelock has been called into the All Blacks squad on tour in France.

He replaces injured loosie Jerome Kaino who suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury against the Barbarians last weekend.

The 26-year-old Canterbury skipper played against the All Blacks for the Barbarians at Twickenham last Saturday (Sunday NZT), and has been called up out of the invitation side which meets Tonga in Limerick on Friday.

Luatua, Whitelock to face ABs

And while we're at it we might throw in rising young wings Vince Aso and George Bridge as well, with Saturday's festive clash (early Sunday NZT) handed a predictable Kiwi flavour with the announcement of the Baabaas squad for the Killik Cup clash.

With the Baabaas coached by a pair of New Zealanders in Deans and his one-time Crusaders flanker Scott Robertson, there was always going to be a fair smattering of Kiwis in the mix for the clash against the All Blacks, and one to follow against Tonga at Thomond Park on November 10.