Howlett gets All Black recall

Doug Howlett

Wing Doug Howlett has earned a reprieve in the All Blacks' Tri-Nations rugby squad as Sitiveni Sivivatu continues to struggle with injury.

The 47-test veteran, initially dropped after the Lions series in July, was last night recalled to the All Blacks squad for Saturday's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks in Dunedin.

Sivivatu was omitted as he attempts to regain full fitness after a knee injury.

"Doug is a top-class player. His reaction to not being selected initially for the Tri-Nations has been exceptionally professional on and off the field," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said yesterday.

Sivivatu is close to return from the knee injury picked up during training in South Africa, Henry said, but needs to play at NPC level before returning to test rugby.

Howlett is the only new player in the squad of 26 from the victory over the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend.

- NZPA