Rugby: Crotty called into All Blacks squad

Canterbury and Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty has been called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover.. Photo / Getty Images.

Ryan Crotty has been called into the All Blacks squad for the first time due to Francis Saili's ankle injury.

Saili, who suffered the injury during Friday's warm-up matches at Lower Hutt, is expected to be out for at least a week. As a first-time member of the All Blacks who didn't play at all in the June tests against France, Saili wouldn't have played a big part in Saturday's first Rugby Championship test against the Wallabies in Sydney anyway.

Crotty has impressed for the Crusaders in the midfield this season and is preparing to play for Canterbury in the ITM Cup. He has been called up instead of Rene Ranger, who made himself unavailable ahead of his departure for France club rugby in November, but said he could play in an emergency.