Former captain Sam Cane was not included in Scott Robertson's first New Zealand squad but may yet have a role to play in test rugby after turning up to the All Blacks' training camp in Upper Hutt in the leadup to the England series.
Even though he is nursing a back injury and has already announced his intention to head to Japan at the end of the season, flanker Cane joined the squad along with injured teammates Josh Lord and Will Jordan.
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen said Cane would be available for selection "when he was ready".
"Sam Cane’s influence on the group has been of guidance, of care. He’s doing everything to make us better,” Hansen told New Zealand media on Monday.
"He's sharing stories, he’s sharing experiences and understanding us as a management group, also coming in and connecting with the All Blacks."
Cane said in May he had decided to relinquish the All Blacks captaincy and quit test rugby at the end of the season.
The decision came some seven months after he became the first player to get red-carded in a World Cup final during the one-point defeat to South Africa in Paris.
Robertson opted for Scott Barrett as Cane's replacement as captain when he named the squad last week for the two-test series against England starting in Dunedin on Saturday.
The All Blacks lost a number of senior players to retirement after the World Cup in France, and Hansen said the presence of Cane, Lord and Jordan could help the side manage its transition under new staff.
“They’re good men and they’re going to help us be better by being here," he said.
"The opportunity for them to share their experiences also, to learn our game, build relationships with them ... They’ve all been outstanding."