All Blacks

Another day, another injury blows for the All Blacks as they stagger towards their 2017 finish-line.

Steve Hansen's battered team will have to play their final test of 2017 without their standout performer of the season, with star wing Rieko Ioane ruled out of Saturday's clash against Warren Gatland's Wales.

The All Blacks outscored their hosts three tries to two in Edinburgh on Sunday (NZ time) but were scrappy at times and were given a tough test by a side who are still to beat them in 33 meetings.

There was last-ditch hope for Scotland when Stuart Hogg broke free with just seconds remaining but first five-eighth Barrett arrived in cover to push the fullback into touch only a few metres from the line.

A try would have sealed at least a draw for the home, which they have only acheived once against the All Blacks, a 0-0 stalemate in 1964.

Codie Taylor starts at hooker for the injured Dane Coles, with Nathan Harris going onto the bench.

Loosie Liam Squire comes onto the bench replacing Scott Barrett.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "This Test against Scotland will be an opportunity for this group of players to take on the challenge of raising the bar on the performance which was set down by their teammates on Tuesday (against the French Selection).

Prop WP Nel (arm fracture) and lock Tim Swinson (hand) will miss the remainder of 2017, which also includes a test against Australia on November 25, after picking up injuries in the 44-38 victory over Samoa on Saturday.

Flanker Rob Harley, who injured his knee in training last week, will also not feature again this year.

Newcastle Falcons prop Jon Welsh has been added to the squad as cover and could play his first test in more than two years having last appeared in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to Australia at Twickenham.

Coles was substituted 24 minutes into Saturday's Test in Paris, which ended in a 38-18 victory for the All Blacks.

The Hurricanes man had opened the scoring for Steve Hansen's side but will play no further part in their Northern Hemisphere tour.

The injury requires surgery and carries a recovery period of four to six months.

New Zealand have also confirmed the team that will take on a France XV in Lyon on Tuesday, with six players set to make their first appearance for the All Blacks.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, the All Blacks produced a two-paced opening effort to open the test component of their northern tour with a victory over France that was a lot less comfortable than it need have been.

In the end the All Blacks rather held on to prevail 38-18, five tries to two, after they had produced an irrepressible first 40 minutes to lead 31-5 at the halftime break.  Remarkably the French somehow flipped a switch in the second half to play the world champions off the park, and starve them of the possession they had used to efficiently through the first 40.

Highlanders and Canterbury loose forward Luke Whitelock has been called into the All Blacks squad on tour in France.

He replaces injured loosie Jerome Kaino who suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury against the Barbarians last weekend.

The 26-year-old Canterbury skipper played against the All Blacks for the Barbarians at Twickenham last Saturday (Sunday NZT), and has been called up out of the invitation side which meets Tonga in Limerick on Friday.

England and Wales had a 40-minute hit-out that featured 12 scrums and 16 line-outs under the scrutiny of top international referee Nigel Owens in Bristol.

The idea was suggested by England coach Eddie Jones to his Welsh counterpart Warren Gatland ahead of their teams' encounters with Argentina and Australia respectively this weekend.

Sio admitted he'd be intrigued by the prospect of a similar session with the All Blacks but couldn't envisage Wallabies coach Michael Cheika ever picking up the phone to Steve Hansen or any other international coach.

Led by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, the Barbarians were 17-10 ahead at half-time on Saturday thanks to tries from Kiwi pair Richie Mo'unga and George Bridge, as well as Australian Sam Carter.

Steve Hansen's men, missing a host of rested and injured regulars, remained in sight thanks to TJ Perenara and Vaea Fifita's scores.

For all their good early work, the Barbarians were blown away in the space of six second-half minutes, as Ngani Laumape, Sam Cane and Nathan Harris all crossed to turn the match on its head. 

Barrett missed the defeat to Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup match last month as he was struggling with symptoms of concussion.

The playmaker will return at fly-half for the All Blacks' first match of the tour this weekend, so Lima Sopoaga drops to the bench.

Hooker Asafo Aumua, prop Tim Perry and outside back Matt Duffie are set to make their debuts from the bench.