McKenzie gets nod at 10, Scott Barrett returns for All Blacks against Wallabies

All Blacks dealt double injury blow ahead of Bledisloe Cup 

The injury toll continues to rise for the All Blacks, with Richie Mo’unga and Fehi Fineanganofo ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup tests with injuries. 

First five-eighths Mo’unga sustained a calf injury during Tuesday’s training and scans have revealed a tear, which means he won’t play at Eden Park this weekend or in Sydney the following Saturday. His return is yet to be determined and will be dependent on his progress over the coming weeks. 

No decision has yet been made on whether an injury replacement will be brought in for Mo’unga. He was expected to start the test with regular first-five Ruben Love already ruled out for the rest of the season. Josh Jacomb, Damian McKenzie or Beauden Barrett are the No 10 options in the squad for Saturday’s test. 

Jacomb started a midweek game against the Bulls in August but has yet to play in a test, while last season, under former coach Scott Robertson, Barrett and McKenzie shared the duties at No 10 (Barrett in 10 tests and McKenzie on three occasions). 

The side is named at midday. 

Fineanganofo sustained a concussion and a hamstring strain in the Bay of Plenty match against North Harbour in the final round of the NPC regular season. 

While he passed the original head injury assessment (HIA) during the game, he has failed subsequent assessments, meaning he will have a mandatory 12-day stand-down period. Scan results have also confirmed an upper hamstring injury. 

The Herald’s Liam Napier had tipped Fineanganofo to be a starter for Saturday’s test. 

Fineanganofo’s one test appearance this year was off the bench in the opening win over France before starting in two midweek games in South Africa. Last month he re-signed with New Zealand Rugby until after next year’s Rugby World Cup, delaying his planned move to English club Newcastle Red Bulls until the end of 2027. 

Canterbury and Crusaders back Chay Fihaki will join the squad as an injury replacement. 

All Blacks unavailable due to injury: Richie Mo’unga (calf); Fehi Fineanganofo (concussion, hamstring); Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee). 

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