Patrick Tuipulotu has been called back into the All Blacks ahead of next Saturday night's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Wellington, after Brodie Retallick was ruled out with injury.

Patrick Tuipulotu Source: Photosport

Retallick, 27, left the field early in last night's victory over Argentina in Nelson, with Steve Hansen today confirming that the lock has suffered a rotator cuff shoulder injury, likely to miss six weeks.

The news sees Tuipulotu, who has played 16 tests, welcomed back into the international fold, after a barnstorming start to the Mitre 10 Cup season, including a hat-trick of tries against Tasman last week.