Big changes to All Blacks fourth Test squad
- 39 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Nine All Blacks players are returning home prior to the fourth Test agianst the Springboks in Baltimore with either injury or aren't required for the final game.
Three players have been ruled out after receiving injuries in Sunday morning's 29-24 defeat to the Springboks in the third test in Soweto.
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Captain Ardie Savea has a dislocated shoulder which he suffered in the first half of the match after scoring the All Blacks first two tries.
Midfielder Quinn Tupaea has a knee injury, also suffered during the third test loss, while openside Luke Jacobson, who took over as captain after Savea left the field, has injured a tendon in his elbow, which will require further investigation on return to New Zealand.
Return to play timeframes for these players are yet to be determined.
Together with the injured trio an additional six players will return home ahead of the fourth test in Baltimore, with first-five Josh Jacomb, props Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma'u and Ofa Tu'ungafasi, halfback Cortez Ratima (knee injury) and hooker Bradley Slater.
The rest of the squad travelled to the US last night on a charter flight they shared with the Springboks, who lead the four test series 2-1.
The squad for the Baltimore test, which kicks off at 9am Sunday morning (NZT) is as follows:
FORWARDS:
Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Jamie Hannah, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai,
Ethan Blackadder, Semisi Ta'eiloa
BACKS:
Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter., Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie
