Sopoaga still in the All Blacks mix?

Wasps-bound playmaker Lima Sopoaga has not been included in the Kiwis' first Test camp of the year in Christchurch but the All Blacks have refused to close the door on his Test career.

The Highlanders first five will only be brought into the frame in case of injury to another player.

An assured first five-eighth and metronomic goalkicker, Sopoaga served as back up to Beauden Barrett throughout 2017, starting in one Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia. He played 10 Tests in 2017 and has played 16 in total.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told reporters on Monday that he'd be happy to call on Sopoaga, but only if Barrett or another first-five fell over. Damian McKenzie is likely to become Barrett's Test back-up after Sopoaga's departure, while Richie Mo'unga continues to shine for the Crusaders. Mo'unga, however, is currently nursing a broken jaw.

"There's no point bringing him into the camp when he is going the policy that we've always had with people that are going is, if they're playing so much better than anyone else, we'll pick them," Hansen said of Sopoaga. "If they're not, we won't. "It'd be fair to say that Beauden is probably our No.1 and Lima's been our No.2, (so) if something were to happen to Beauden, Lima would certainly be in the fold."