New Zealand will be without the services of lock Patrick Tuipulotu and playmaker Stephan Perofeta as the All Blacks named a 36-player squad for the two Rugby Championship Tests against the Springboks.
Calf injuries will prevent Tuipulotu and Perofeta from travelling with the All Blacks to South Africa for the Rugby Championship clashes in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Both players missed the All Blacks two Tests against Argentina due to their injuries and will remain in New Zealand to continue their rehabilitation.
Lock Josh Lord and utility back Harry Plummer, who joined the squad as injury cover for the two Argentina Tests, will remain with the team for the tour of South Africa.
All Blacks squad for SA tour:
Forwards (20)
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Codie Taylor (Crusaders ), George Bell (Crusaders)
Props: Ethan De Groot (Highlanders), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes ), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Locks: Scott Barrett (Crusaders, Captain), Sam Darry (Blues), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
Loose Forwards: Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) , Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, Vice Captain), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Backs (16)
Scrumhalves: Noah Hotham (Crusaders), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Centres: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes, Vice-Captain), David Havili (Crusaders), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Ruben Love (Hurricanes), Harry Plummer (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Mark Tele’a (Blues)
The post All Blacks without veteran enforcer for SA tour appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
