Six more players released from the All Blacks squad with immediate effect

Dave Rennie’s side will leave South Africa following their 29-24 defeat at FNB Stadium, with six members of the touring party instead heading straight back to New Zealand.

Young fly-half Josh Jacomb, scrum-half Cortez Ratima, props Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma'u and Ofa Tu'ungafasi, and hooker Bradley Slater have all been released.

Ratima is returning home with a knee injury, while the other five are expected to rejoin their provinces and become available for NPC action as required.

The decision comes ahead of the fourth and final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, which will see the All Blacks and Springboks meet at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie is expected to freshen up his side following three bruising Tests against the Springboks in South Africa.

Several players who have been on the fringes of the matchday squad could now come into contention.

Prop Pasilio Tosi, back-rower Ethan Blackadder, fly-half Richie Mo'unga, centres Rieko Ioane and Timoci Tavatavanawai, and wings Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa are among those pushing for involvement.

There could also be welcome returns in the pack.

Lock Josh Lord and prop Ethan de Groot missed the previous two Tests after suffering head knocks in the opening game of the series but are expected to come back into contention for Baltimore.

The All Blacks head into the finale trailing 2-1 in the four-match series after South Africa claimed a 29-24 victory in Johannesburg.

South Africa head to Baltimore with a 2-1 series lead, while an All Blacks victory would level the four-Test series at 2-2.

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Jamie Hannah, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder, Semisi Ta'eiloa.

Backs: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.

Josh Jacomb – Fly-half
Cortez Ratima – Scrum-half (knee injury)
Siale Lauaki – Prop
Saula Ma'u – Prop
Ofa Tu'ungafasi – Prop
Bradley Slater – Hooker

The All Blacks will now travel to the United States before facing the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, bringing the inaugural four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series to a close.