Crusaders scrum-half Noah Hotham has spoken publicly about his disappointment at missing out on New Zealand's 44-man squad for the Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.
Hotham was widely anticipated to be the fourth number nine in the group alongside Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima and Kyle Preston, having been Crusaders first-choice nine throughout Super Rugby Pacific ahead of Preston. Dave Rennie instead opted to pencil in winger Leroy Carter as the fourth-choice scrum-half cover.
"It's been frustrating, but I could only control what I did at Super Rugby and I put my best foot forward, I thought, and did everything I could," Hotham told Newstalk ZB. "I'm disappointed with the selection of ABs, but that's footy."
The 23-year-old, who has three Test caps, is now focussed on Tasman's NPC campaign and started in their 19-15 win over North Harbour in Nelson on Friday. He is keeping himself available as a potential injury replacement during the tour.
"It's a case of staying ready and if I do get an opportunity or when I get an opportunity to really nail it," he said.
The All Blacks open their tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on 7 August before three Tests against the Springboks — twice in Johannesburg and once in Cape Town — with a fourth Test in Baltimore on 12 September.