All Blacks hit by COVID-19 outbreak ahead of test against Ireland

Wellington – New Zealand’s preparations for its first test against Ireland were thrown into disarray after head coach Ian Foster, his assistant John Plumtree and two players tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Foster and Plumtree are isolating at home while players David Havili and Jack Goodhue — who are both specialist midfield backs — have not joined the squad in Auckland ahead of Saturday’s series opener.