The All Blacks lost four players to injury before the first Test was played, and now have three men with question marks about whether they will feature again.
The All Blacks have been forced to call up more injury enforcements after a double blow during their first Test win over the Springboks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park on Saturday night.
It was almost the perfect night for the New Zealanders, as they clinched a 33-16 win despite being second best for a large portion of the match, but they suffered more injury woes after a nasty collision in the first half.
Prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord collided with each other while trying to tackle Bok eighthman Jasper Wiese in the 37th minute, with them clashing heads and needing to be helped from the field.
After the match All Blacks coach Dave Rennie explained that their participation in the rest of the tour would now be guided by World Rugby’s concussion protocols.
Due to the them facing the Lions in a tour match in Johannesburg on Tuesday, followed by the second Test in Cape Town on Saturday, which they are expected to be unavailable for, has led to the call-up of prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah ahead of the next match.
Only injuries
“They are the only two injuries tonight. It was a head clash which is problematic and long-term. Obviously neither of those guys can play on Tuesday (against the Lions),” said Rennie.
“They probably can’t play on Saturday (either). It depends on the protocols and what happened on the sideline. I would need to confirm that.”
The All Blacks previously lost four players permanently from the tour, namely prop Ollie Norris, hooker George Bell, centre Billy Proctor and wing Caleb Clarke, since they arrived in South Africa at the start of the month.
Scrumhalf Cortez Ratima, although not completely ruled out, is also injured and had a back-up, Noah Hotham, called up in case he is unable to recover.
The All Blacks will be hoping that they don’t lose any further players with four games still remaining, against the Lions on Tuesday, second Test against the Boks in Cape Town on Saturday, third Test back up in Joburg at the FNB Stadium, and the fourth Test in the USA.
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