More All Blacks return to NPC action this week

Northland who are top of the NPC table will get Simon Parker back to held them defend the Ranfurly Shield against Counties Manuka PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

A further ten All Blacks who were part of the tour to South Africa and the United States. are available to play for their provincial teams in this week’s NPC. This is in addition to the players who returned from the tour earlier and have already featured for their teams.

Five All Blacks are set to feature in the Tasman v Bay of Plenty fixture at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park on Thursday 24 September.

Tasman will have Timoci Tavatavanawai and Noah Hotham available to add impact to the back line, while prop Pasilio Tosi and outside backs Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa will be available for Bay of Plenty.

Northland will have the services of loose forward Simon Parker for Saturday afternoon’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties Manukau at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei. When Canterbury host Southland that evening, they will have lock Jamie Hannah available to call on, while Southland will be bolstered by loose forward Semisi Ta’eiloa.

On Sunday, Taranaki will have the option to include lock Josh Lord in their line-up to play Hawkes Bay in Napier.

Halfback Cortez Ratima, is a chance to feature for Waikato against Wellington on Sunday afternoon if he is medically cleared to play.

Injury update - Ten members of the All Blacks squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry sustained injuries during the tour. Below is an update on the status of those injuries (status as of 21 September 2026; return dates remain subject to medical clearance):

Anton Lienert-Brown: Knee (MCL) injury. Likely return to play 4 – 6 weeks.

Ardie Savea: Dislocated shoulder; will require surgery. Likely return to play to be determined following surgery.

Luke Jacobson: Elbow tendon injury; has had surgery. Likely return to play 4 – 5 months.

Quinn Tupaea: Knee injury (MCL). Likely return to play 1- 2 weeks.

Anton Segner: Ankle-joint inflammation. Likely return to play 1 – 2 weeks.

Cortez Ratima: Knee injury (PCL). Likely return to play 1 - 2 weeks.

Billy Proctor: Fractured shoulder blade. Likely return to play 4 – 6 weeks.

Caleb Clarke: Ruptured shoulder tendon. Likely return to play 5 months.

Ollie Norris: Knee cartilage injury. Likely return to play Super Rugby pre-season.

George Bell: Calf injury. Has returned to play in NPC.