Rieko Ioane among nine New Zealand players released for Mitre 10 Cup

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has released nine players from the squad to their respective provinces to feature in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Winger Reiko Ioane had a tough run of form and was replaced by George Bridge in the second Bledisloe Cup contest against Australia with the latter impressing the team management straightaway scoring a try on his first start for the All Blacks.

Liam Coltman and Josh Ioane have been released to play for Otago while the other players set to feature in the domestic competition in the coming weeks are Brad Weber, Vaea Fifita, Braydon Ennor, Atu Moli and Jackson Hemopo.

Hansen is expected to name the final World Cup squad on 28th August following which they will face Tonga in Hamilton on 7th September in their final warm-up game.

Their World Cup campaign will kick-off on 21st September against South Africa in Yokohama following which they will face Canada, Namibia and Italy.