The All Blacks will take some extra reinforcements when they head to Australia for the Rugby Championship in November.
Newshub understands that head coach Ian Foster will add another 11 players to his current squad, which will bring the total number to 46.
Foster intends to wait as long as possible before announcing the additional group to give Mitre 10 Cup players an opportunity to stake their claim for selection.
In October, the All Blacks will play two Bledisloe Cup tests in New Zealand, before heading across the Tasman to play out the rest of the Rugby Championship.
Some All Blacks players have already expressed their misgivings about travelling to Australia, meaning those extra numbers could also be supplementary.
Players will be required to quarantine for 14 days on both their arrival in Australia and their return to New Zealand.
Including games, that amounts to a two and a half month absence, which is a daunting proposition for those with young families.
Richie Mo'unga and TJ Perenara have both recently become fathers, while Beauden Barrett and his wife are expecting their first child next month.
Perenara says he'll consult with his wife before committing to the tour.
"It's definitely something we'll put thought into," Perenara says. "It's not an easy situation to have to go into, but there will be a lot of thought going into that."
On Friday, New Zealand Rugby said it would support any players who didn't want to travel.
"We want to make sure whoever is representing the All Blacks does so in a safe environment where they feel happy and comfortable," said chief executive Mark Robinson.
"We are hugely supportive of our players. We know they have gone through an incredibly tough time this year.
"This challenge of what they are about to undertake is going to be significant and we will back them and their families in whatever way we need to ensure they are looked after. If that means they are unable to assemble or travel we'll hear that out and support that."
The Rugby Championship will run from November 7 to December 12.
