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All Black Franks out of Australia Test

Dunedin - All Blacks prop Owen Franks has been ruled out of this weekend's Rugby Championship Test against Australia with an Achilles problem, team management said Thursday.

The All Blacks announced that Nepo Laulala would replace Franks in the starting XV. 

Ofa Tu'ungafasi remains on the bench, but Jeff Toomaga-Allen will join the squad as additional cover.

Coach Steve Hansen said 95-Test veteran Franks had been battling Achilles problems all season.

"Franks may be out for a while, so will be monitored. Taking it one step at a time," Hansen said.

The All Blacks face Australia in Dunedin after a convincing 54-34 win in Sydney last weekend.

Kick-off is as 09:35 (SA time) on Saturday.

Teams:

New Zealand

15 Damian McKenzie; 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane; 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire; 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick; 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Australia

15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Lopeti Timani/Jack Dempsey, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Curtis Rona

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