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New Zealand have been forced to make a change to their Rugby World Cup roster before the tournament has kicked off. Luke Jacobson has withdrawn from the group after experiencing concussion symptoms during the week following the match against Tonga on the weekend. He is replaced by Chiefs teammate Shannon Frizell.
Jacobson was an unexpected selection having been uncapped prior to the warm-up matches. The abrasive loose forward had been tipped to impress but will now have to wait until 2020 to earn his first All Blacks start. Liam Squire had been considered by many the favorite to be called up but it’s instead Frizell who will join the team in Japan.
It’s the fourth player that has been forced to withdraw following the 31-man squad announcements. Fiji prop Kali Tawake, Samoa scrumhalf Scott Malolua, and Canada flanker Justin Blanchet have all dropped out, replaced by Lee-Roy Atalifo, Pele Cowley, and Josh Larsen respectively.
