THE New Zealand tour has been rocked by cases of Covid-19.
Ireland will play the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday and will have to do so without Mack Hansen.
Andy Farrell's side as of Monday have only lost the Connacht winger for the game during the week to the virus, but New Zealand have had three tests comes back positive.
Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt was set to begin his role as selector for the New Zealand national team after the tour but has been fast tracked into the role after head coach Ian Foster as well as assistants John Plumtree and Scott McLeod caught Covid.
Ireland squad latest: — Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) June 27, 2022
Mack Hansen tested positive for Covid and is isolating.
Munster hooker Niall Scannell has been called up to the squad. He will arrive in NZ on Tuesday.
Iain Henderson and Rob Herring picked up knocks in training on Saturday and will undergo scans.
"Joe will come in for Tuesday and Thursday’s trainings this week, and we’re really grateful to have his help," Foster said.
"We’ve planned for this kind of disruption, and we’ve got back up plans and people on standby. Joe was one of those people we could call on."
"I’ve got every confidence in our coaching group, and in our senior leaders who are all stepping up in what’s a massive test for us."
"Everyone has had to deal with these kinds of disruptions over the past couple of years. This is a real opportunity for the coaching group and team to pull together."
In the Ireland camp Iain Henderson and Rob Herring both picked up knocks in training on Saturday and will be scanned today in Auckland.
Munster’s Niall Scannell has been added to the squad to provide additional cover at hooker. He will arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday morning.
Ireland will play New Zealand three times on the 2, 9 and 16 July and will play the Maori All Blacks in-between on Wednesday and 12 July.
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