All Blacks to miss start of Rugby Championship
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Several All Blacks will be unavailable for the start of the Rugby Championship after NZ Rugby revealed the extent of injuries
It's been confirmed that halfback Noah Hotham, prop Tyrel Lomax, wing Caleb Clarke and loose forward Luke Jacobson will all miss the first few weeks of the tournament, which starts on August the 17th with the All Blacks first match in Argentina.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Beauden and Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi and Tupou Vaa'i remain injured but should recover in time for the trip to Argentina.
The following players are continuing to have injuries assessed ahead of the Rugby Championship squad assembling. Please note that the estimated return to play is as of today’s date and subject to change.
Noah Hotham – Will need surgery for a high ankle sprain. Estimated return to play: 7 - 8 weeks.
Tyrel Lomax – Has had surgery for hand fracture. Estimated return to play: 5 - 6 weeks.
Caleb Clarke – High ankle injury, does not require surgery. Estimated return to play: 5 - 6 weeks.
Luke Jacobson – Thigh injury. Estimated return to play: 5 weeks.
Scott Barrett – Calf tear healing well. Estimated return to play: 3 weeks.
Wallace Sititi - Rehabilitating well following surgery for high ankle injury. Estimated return to play: 3 weeks.
Tamaiti Williams – Rehabilitating well following surgery for torn meniscus. Estimated return to play: 3 weeks.
Beauden Barrett – Subtle hand re-fracture but healing well. Estimated return to play: 2 weeks.
Tupou Vaa’i - Going through concussion protocols. Estimated return to play: 2 weeks.
Meanwhile eight players from the All Blacks July Series squad will be available for the opening round of the Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship.
The NPC kicks off this Thursday at Eden Park, when Auckland host a Waikato side that may be bolstered by All Black Anton Lienert-Brown.
Wellington and Canterbury will have Ruben Love and Brodie McAlister, respectively, at their disposal when they face off at Porirua Park on Saturday; then Christian Lio-Willie may feature for Otago when they take on Southland at Invercargill Rugby Park later in the day.
Sunday’s two matches will feature Emoni Narawa and Pasilio Tosi for Bay of Plenty; Timoci Tavatavanawai for Tasman; and Dalton Papali’i for Counties Manukau.
The list of All Blacks playing for their provincial teams is as follows:
Auckland v Waikato – Eden Park, 7:10pm Thursday 31 July
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown
Wellington v Canterbury – Porirua Park, 2:05pm Saturday 2 August
Wellington: Ruben Love
Canterbury: Brodie McAlister
Southland v Otago – Invercargill Rugby Park, 4:35pm Saturday 2 August
Otago: Christian Lio-Willie
Bay of Plenty v Tasman – Tauranga Domain, 2:05pm Sunday 3 August
Bay of Plenty: Emoni Narawa and Pasilio Tosi
Tasman: Timoci Tavatavanawai
Hawkes Bay v Counties Manukau – McLean Park, 4:35pm Sunday 3 August
Counties Manukau: Dalton Papali’i
