All Blacks unleashed on NPC

Seven All Blacks have been made available for selection to their home provinces for this weekend's NPC finals.

The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup-winning All Blacks disassembled Sunday, following their 18-18 draw against Australia in Brisbane the day before.

And with their national commitments complete, three of the four sides in the finals have been given a timely boost.

Otago stands to benefit most from the release of the All Blacks.

The Razorbacks will face Counties-Manukau in Friday's Championship (Second Division) title game, with the winners also climbing to next year's Premiership Division.

The Steelers, who were top of the table during the regular season, will enjoy home advantage for the Final, but now take on an Otago outfit with flank Adam Thomson, midfielder Tamati Ellison and utility back Ben Smith returned from national team duty.

Thomson was also available and scored a try as the southerners toppled Tasman in the semifinals.

In the Premiership Final between Canterbury and Auckland in Christchurch on Saturday, the hosts will be able to add Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett to their pack, while Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina have been made available for Auckland.

Crockett had two tries in Canterbury's extra-time semifinal win over Taranaki at the weekend.

The All Blacks selectors will announce their squad for the European tour next Monday, October 29.

The Maori All Blacks squad to tour England will be named the same day.