Luke Romano cut a dejected figure in more ways than one after yesterday's loss in the Mitre 10 Cup final.

Luke Romano's return to the black jersey will have to wait, after an injury in the Mitre 10 Cup final ruled the lock out of next weekend's test against Japan.

The 32-year-old was in the squad of 19 players to prepare to face the Brave Blossoms as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen ships 22 frontliners to Europe to prepare for the following weekend's test against England.

However, after turning out for Canterbury in the domestic final at Eden Park on Saturday, Romano was left not only dejected by a 40-33 extra time loss suffered by the visitors, but also an injury which forced him from the field in the 63rd minute.

TVNZ reported Romano had been forced to withdraw from the Japan tour.

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Having played 31 tests since a debut in 2012, Romano hasn't featured for the All Blacks since last year's Northern Tour.

First-choice second rowers Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are backed up in the main squad by Scott Barrett - who played 80 minutes in the 37-20 win over the Wallabies in Yokohama on Saturday night - and Patrick Tuipolutu.

The All Blacks set to name a replacement for Romano on Sunday.