Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has been included in the All Blacks wider training squad for this week's pre-Rugby Championship camp in Christchurch.
Coles hasn't played since falling awkwardly and rupturing anterior cruciate knee ligaments early in the All Blacks' Test win over France in Paris on November 11.
Over the previous two Super Rugby campaigns he has missed large chunks of games with rib (2016) and concussion (2017) issues but returned late in the season.
His first knee surgery didn't work, ending his expected comeback in June. His second surgery was a success, but whether he'll return to action via the All Blacks or Wellington remains to be seen.
The 31-year-old is the only face in the squad that wasn't involved in the June series win over France.
Lock Jackson Hemopo and prop Karl Tu'inukuafe, who were late injury replacements for the test series against France, are included in the squad but Waikato Chiefs prop Nepo Laulala misses out.
Laulala had established himself in the All Blacks set-up last year after Charlie Faumuina moved to France, and while the 27-year-old broke his arm in March he had been expected to be out for only three months.
None of the Crusaders players are in camp, with the defending champions preparing for this weekend's Super Rugby final against South Africa's Lions in Christchurch.
The All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship will be named next Monday before they assemble on August 9 in Christchurch to prepare for their opening clash against the Wallabies in Sydney nine days later.