All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard ruled out of Sharks clash

The All Blacks have decided to put their star halfback Cam Roigard in cotton-wool.

He’s been ruled out of the second South African tour match against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday morning with a tight calf.

Roigard was set to play his first match of the tour from the reserves.

He’s been replaced on the bench by Cortez Ratima, who started in the first-up win over the Stormers.

Kyle Preston will wear the number nine jersey for the first time this season, having not being used in the July test matches and also failing to start a single game for the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Waiting for a chance is something the 26 year-old former roofer is used to.

"Obviously I started a bit later in my professional career, so patience is there,” Preston says.

“Like you said, I didn't get any chances in Super Rugby really to start or get much game time, so pretty stoked being involved in this team. Chances come, so I’ve got to make the most of it."

Luke Jacobson will captain the team for the first time after Patrick Tuipulotu was skipper in the first tour match in the absence of Codie Tayor, who’s injured, and Ardie Savea, who’s back in New Zealand.

The 29 year-old Chiefs loose-forward admits it caught him by surprise.

“Yeah, we were in the huddle naming the team. I hadn't got any heads up, so look like a bit of a stunned mullet there,” Jacobson said after a wet training session in Durban.

“But, I mean, cool way to find out. Obviously something that I've just got to take with both hands and, yeah, just really humbled."

The All Blacks have named a close to full-strength line-up after struggling against the Stormers, particularly in the scrum, maul, and fielding high-kicks.

Ethan de Groot, Asafo Aumua, and Fletcher Newell form a powerful front-row with Josh Lord and Sam Darry at lock.

Tupou Vaa’i will play blindside flanker, where he’s expected to feature in the first test against the Springboks, with Jacobson on the openside and Wallace Sititi at number eight after he pulled out of the Stormers match with illness.

Preston and Ruben Love are the inside back combination, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.

Fehi Fineanganofo makes his first appearance since his debut against France on the right-wing, Caleb Clarke’s on the left, with Damian McKenzie at fullback.

Number eight Semisi Ta’eiloa and hooker Bradley Slater are poised to debut from the bench.

The Sharks have 103-test former All Black and two-time World Cup winner Ma’a Nonu in the reserves.

The All Blacks are yet to name a replacement for centre Billy Proctor, who’s heading home to New Zealand with a fractured shoulder blade, ruling him out for up to 12 weeks.

rova understands Canterbury first-five Richie Mo’unga will be called into the squad.