New Zealand call-up Ricky Riccitelli and Jackson Hemopo for final Test against France

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has called-up Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli and Highlanders lock Jackson Hemopo in the squad for the third and final Test against France.

The decision follows after Vaea Fifita and Liam Squire suffered a concussion and a shoulder injury respectively while Nathan Harris has left the squad to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Meanwhile, Hansen has also confirmed that fly-half Beauden Barrett will not travel to Dunedin for the final game after he sustained a head injury during the second Test.

“There’s no point putting him under extra pressure of the travel, when he can stay at home and rest and come down tomorrow or not come down at all. We won’t take any risk with him.”

The final game of the series will take place on 23rd June in Dunedin with All Blacks already having clinched the series 2-0 following wins in the first two matches.