Ardie Savea faces an extended spell on the sidelines after the shoulder dislocation he suffered in the third Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Soweto, with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirming the captain has undergone surgery and will not return until Super Rugby Pacific — with his availability even for the start of that campaign uncertain.
Savea had scored twice inside the opening 25 minutes in Soweto before leaving the field. Rennie, speaking on Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport, acknowledged the loss keenly but pointed to the depth available to the All Blacks and the potential long-term benefit of an extended rest ahead of a World Cup year. "We will miss him, but it's an opportunity to grow others over the next few months," Rennie said. "Maybe we might reflect back in February that the break's been really good for him, so he can have a big year leading into a World Cup."
Savea will join the Blues — his new club following Moana Pasifika's demise — for rehabilitation.
Ruben Love is also out for the remainder of the international season with the ankle injury he sustained in South Africa. That clears the way for Richie Mo'unga, who started the RGR finale in Baltimore — his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup final — to wear the ten jersey against Australia in the Bledisloe Cup.
Beauden Barrett, who made his first Test appearance of the year off the bench in the USA, remains in Rennie's thinking despite sliding down the playmaker pecking order since Robertson departed. Rennie praised Barrett's mentorship of Love during the South Africa tour and sees his future primarily at fullback. "He's still got a massive amount to offer the black jersey," Rennie said, noting Barrett is currently playing fifteen for Taranaki in the NPC.