Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has been called into All Blacks camp this week but a timeline for his rugby return is still unclear.
Coles hasn't played since rupturing his ACL knee last November playing for New Zealand, an injury that has forced him under the knife twice, but has been showing positive progress in recent weeks.
The 31-year-old is back running and has gained greater flexibility in the joint in the past month since his second bout of surgery.
With Super Rugby over, Coles will be looked after by the All Blacks medical team but his comeback could come via the Wellington Lions in New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup.
The opening two Bledisloe Tests are still reportedly seen as too soon for the hooker's return but a Test appearance later in the year is certainly not out of the question.
Coles is the only intriguing inclusion in the 29-man group to assemble in Bledisloe camp this week.
No Crusaders have been named as they prepare for Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Lions but the remainder of the players that were part of the side's June Series squad have been named.
Coach Steve Hansen will name his Rugby Championship squad on Monday August 6.
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Test in Sydney on Saturday August 18, kicking off at 8pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
SQUAD
All Blacks Bledisloe Cup camp
Hookers
Dane Coles
Liam Coltman
Nathan Harris
Props
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Loose forwards
Sam Cane
Vaea Fifita
Shannon Frizell
Jackson Hemopo
Akira Ioane
Ardie Savea
Liam Squire
Luke Whitelock.
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara
Aaron Smith
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
Flyhalves
Beauden Barrett
Damian McKenzie
Centres
Ngani Laumape
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett
Rieko Ioane
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Waisake Naholo
Ben Smith
