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151 items · General · Reports
All Blacks call up Tu'ungafasi and Hannah as injury toll mounts ahead of Cape Town Test
Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Jamie Hannah join the All Blacks touring squad as concussion cover for Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, adding to a mounting injury list that has already claimed four players to tour-ending injuries ahead of the second Test in Cape Town on 29 August.
All Blacks call up Tu'ungafasi and Hannah ahead of Lions clash
New Zealand have called up Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Jamie Hannah to cover for injured pair Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord ahead of the All Blacks' midweek clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.
All Blacks hit by head injury double blow after Ellis Park win
Dave Rennie confirms Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord face extended lay-offs after a head clash at Ellis Park, with Anton Segner's ankle also keeping him in doubt as All Blacks injury concerns mount on tour.
Rennie backs fit-again Holland and explains key selection calls ahead of Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie has made only one change from the XV that beat Ireland, recalling fit-again lock Fabian Holland, with Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan all confirmed to start at Ellis Park despite having no tour minutes.
Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie pass fit for All Blacks' Johannesburg Test
Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie shake off injury concerns to feature in the All Blacks' lineup for the first Springbok Test in Johannesburg.
McKenzie trending towards availability for Ellis Park Test as All Blacks await Ratima verdict
Damian McKenzie is trending towards availability for the Ellis Park Test after training fully on Tuesday, while Cortez Ratima's knee injury remains a concern and Noah Hotham has been called up as scrumhalf cover.
Ioane's resurgence could trouble Springboks as All Blacks brace for Ellis Park intensity
Rieko Ioane has emerged as a potential midfield threat for the All Blacks ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry opener at Ellis Park, with coach Dave Rennie acknowledging his side must significantly raise their performance levels. The 29-year-old's versatility and improved form have seen him shift from wing cover to a centre option following injuries to Caleb Clarke and Billy Proctor. Rennie warned that the intensity against the Springboks will be several levels above the All Blacks' 50-19 warm-up victory over the Bulls.
Mo'unga set for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry debut against Lions
Dave Rennie has confirmed Richie Mo'unga is in line for his first outing of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour against the Lions on 25 August.
Rennie confident Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie will be fit for Ellis Park Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to be fit for the Ellis Park Test, despite an injury-hit tour that has already cost the All Blacks George Bell, Billy Proctor and Caleb Clarke.
All Blacks dismantle Bulls 50-19 in final audition before Springbok Tests
New Zealand concluded their South African tour warm-up with an eight-try demolition of the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, running out 50-19 winners. Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby each claimed braces as Dave Rennie's side averaged 47 points across three fixtures against franchise opposition. The performance leaves the tourists brimming with confidence ahead of the Test series opener at Ellis Park.
All Blacks lose Clarke to shoulder injury ahead of Springbok series
New Zealand winger Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the four-Test series against the Springboks after rupturing a shoulder tendon during Tuesday's 54-0 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban. Clarke will return home for surgery, with no timeline set for his return, and will not be replaced in the touring squad.
Clarke becomes third All Black to head home early as injury toll mounts
Winger Caleb Clarke is the third All Black to leave the tour early, ruled out of the Springbok series with a shoulder tendon injury suffered against the Sharks. Rennie will not bring in a replacement.
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.
Rennie confirms Mo'unga not in frame for first Test as Love holds No.10 jersey
Dave Rennie says Mo'unga is unlikely to feature in the first Test against the Springboks on August 22, with Ruben Love retaining the No.10 jersey. Mo'unga was called up to replace the injured Billy Proctor and arrives in South Africa on Friday, a day before the All Blacks face the Bulls at Loftus.
Richie Mo'unga called up as All Blacks lose Proctor to shoulder fracture
Richie Mo'unga has been summoned to join the All Blacks in South Africa after Billy Proctor suffered a shoulder blade fracture that will sideline the centre for 10 to 12 weeks. The 56-cap flyhalf, recently returned from three years in Japan, becomes eligible under New Zealand Rugby's selection policy after representing Canterbury. Damian McKenzie, who twisted his ankle against the Sharks, is expected to be fit for the first Test at Ellis Park on 22 August.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad as Proctor injury replacement
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks touring squad in South Africa as a replacement for injured centre Billy Proctor, with his eligibility restored following his return from Japan and a starring role in Canterbury's record 18th Ranfurly Shield triumph.
Mo'unga called into All Blacks squad ahead of Bok Tests
Richie Mo'unga joins the All Blacks squad in Johannesburg on Friday as a replacement for the injured Billy Proctor ahead of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tests against the Springboks.
McKenzie ankle injury 'not too bad' ahead of Springbok Tests, Proctor replacement decision imminent
Damian McKenzie's ankle injury is not serious and he is expected to be available for the first Test against the Springboks, while Dave Rennie is set to name Billy Proctor's tour replacement within days, with Richie Mo'unga and Du'Plessis Kirifi the leading candidates.
All Blacks demolish Sharks 54-0 as Test selection battle intensifies
The All Blacks ran in eight unanswered tries to beat the Sharks 54-0 in Durban, with Dave Rennie highlighting the intensifying Test selection battle ahead of the August 22 Springbok clash. Ma'a Nonu, 44, made a cameo for the Sharks after recently joining in a mentorship capacity.
Amatosero ban effectively limited to one Test, remains available for Springbok clash
Miles Amatosero's three-match SANZAAR ban will cost the Wallabies just one Test, with a Shute Shield match and a Coaching Intervention Programme application absorbing two of the three matches. He remains on track to face the Springboks later in the Rugby Championship.