One day after being selected for the All Blacks, rugby league convert Brad Thorn has withdrawn from the team.
Wellington lock Dion Waller will take his place, after Thorn expressed uncertainty over his rugby-playing future.
Thorn told All Blacks manager Andrew Martin that he felt unable to accept an All Blacks jersey because he could not give an undertaking that he would be playing rugby union next year.
"On that basis Brad felt it would be wrong to tour with the All Blacks," Martin said.
"Brad says it has long been a dream of his to play for the All Blacks, and that was the reason he came back to New Zealand from rugby league in Australia.
"His actions in declining a place in the tour squad show just how much he values the All Blacks jersey and he deserves credit for making what must have been a tough decision.
"Obviously we hope he decides to stay with rugby but we wish him well regardless."
Martin said the selectors had not talked to Thorn about his availability before finalising their squad.
"Selectors don't check the availability of uninjured players as a matter of course. They presume that the players they select will be available and keen to tour."
Thorn played for Canterbury in their NPC final win on Saturday and was named yesterday as one of the All Black squad to tour Ireland, Scotland and Argentina.
His selection was criticised by All Black captain Graham Mourie who said: "It's hard to understand because he was the fourth-ranked lock at Canterbury."
He said All Blacks coach John Mitchell was "looking for something no-one else has seen."
Waller, who was briefly called in to the All Blacks squad as injury cover on last year's end of year tour of France, will join the squad in Auckland today.
The All Blacks fly out to Ireland on Wednesday evening and play their first match, against Ireland A, in Belfast on Tuesday week.
Dion Waller joins All Blacks after Thorn pulls out
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