Leicester Fainga'anuku leaves All Blacks squad ahead of Japan test

Crusaders back Leicester Fainga'anuku has left the All Blacks squad for family reasons and is out of the test against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday night.

Assistant coach Scott McLeod has confirmed his departure.

"Not having been a selector, I know they're talking about that," he said. "They want to make a good and considered decision there, but I'm sure that announcement will come reasonably soon."

It is unclear yet if he will rejoin the squad before the All Blacks head to Europe for tests against Scotland, Wales and England, with a decision to be made soon on a possible replacement.

Fainga'anuku, 23, was a star performer in the Crusaders' Super Rugby Pacific triumph this year and became All Black No. 1200, when he debuted against Ireland at Auckland's Eden Park.