ReportGeneralSuperSport Rugby14 Aug

Clarke shoulder injury rules him out of Springbok series as All Blacks injury toll mounts

Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the four-test Springbok series with a shoulder tendon injury, becoming the third All Black to leave the tour early. Dave Rennie will not call up a replacement, with the series opener at Ellis Park set for 22 August.

Caleb Clarke will return to New Zealand for shoulder surgery after scans confirmed a tendon injury sustained during the All Blacks' 54-0 midweek win over the Sharks in Durban, ruling him out of the four-test series against the Springboks.

Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed there will be no replacement called up for Clarke, who has 16 tries in 35 tests, citing sufficient cover among the current outside back group. "We are comfortable with the outside backs cover we have at the moment, so will not be bringing another squad member in to replace Caleb unless further injuries necessitate it," Rennie said.

Clarke is the third All Black to leave the tour prematurely. Billy Proctor injured his shoulder in the opening match against the Stormers in Cape Town and was replaced by Richie Mo'unga, while hooker George Bell was stood down after a calf injury at training, with uncapped hooker Bradley Slater called in as cover.

The series opens at Ellis Park on 22 August.

Sources

SuperSport Rugbyhttps://supersport.com/rugby/news/588cdcc7-6a1a-4c93-a884-63ab3a717289/all-blacks-wing-clarke-out-of-south-africa-series

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