Thorn, Ellis to return to NZ after test

All Blacks Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis will return home to New Zealand after this weekend's test against France in Marseille to spend time with their families.

Ellis is heading home because his wife was expecting their first baby while Thorn has a large, young family which he is looking forward to seeing, All Blacks manager Darren Shand says.

"Family life is obviously very important to the All Blacks players and management and we try and get players home when they need to be with their families."

"Andy and Brad need to go home and we agreed before the tour that they would leave after the French test," says Shand.

- NZ HERALD STAFF