Ins and outs: Charting the injury changes in the All Blacks squad

The All Blacks started the tour of South Africa with 43 players but that number is closing in on a half century through the opening three matches, after a number of injuries. Before the naming of the initial squad, Scott Barrett (back), Tamaiti Williams (back) and Leicester Fainga’anuku (leg) were already ruled out but the injury toll continues to grow.

Here’s a rundown on the injury-based exits and arrivals among Dave Rennie’s men.

Departures

Billy Proctor

Hurricanes, 14 tests

Why he has gone: Proctor started the opening tour game against the Stormers in Cape Town, but left the field early in the second half of the 38-21 win after taking a heavy blow to the shoulder. Scans confirmed a fracture that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Rennie said: “He’s got a big vertical fracture through his shoulder blade. It’s a 10-to-12-week injury. It won’t require surgery but that’s the sort of timeframe so we’re devastated for him.”

George Bell

Crusaders, four tests

Why he has gone: Picked as the fourth hooker in Rennie’s squad, Bell’s tour ended before he suffered a calf injury ruling him out for four to six weeks but he is expected to return for Ranfurly Shield holders Canterbury in the NPC.

Rennie said: “He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again. We look forward to seeing him return via the NPC and put himself in a position to push for All Blacks selection later in the year.”

Ollie Norris

Chiefs, five tests

Why he has gone: The loosehead prop sustained a cartilage injury in his knee. Norris, who came off the bench in the first two games of the tour, is expected to be out of action for six weeks.

Caleb Clarke

Blues, 37 tests

Why he has gone: Scans revealed Clarke ruptured a tendon in his shoulder during Wednesday’s blowout win against the Sharks in Durban. The injury will require surgery and a return-to-play timeframe will not be known until that is complete. No injury replacement has been required as there is ample wing coverage with Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Rieko Ioane already in the squad.

Rennie said: “It was quite amazing really, because we think he did well that first half, catching balls above his head and charging into people.”

The All Blacks tour squad in South Africa has had a few arrivals and departures. Photos / Photosport

Arrivals

Bradley Slater

Blues, 0 tests

Why he has joined the team: The Taranaki and Blues hooker got the call-up to replace Bell in the tour squad. Canterbury and Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister debuted for the All Blacks last year, making two appearances off the bench against France and South Africa, but under Rennie’s new regime, test rookie Slater has usurped him in the pecking order. Slater was named on the bench for the win over the Sharks, coming on for 26 minutes in his All Blacks debut.

Richie Mo’unga

Crusaders, 56 tests

Why he has joined the team: His arrival came after the injury to Proctor, but there have also been injury concerns over Damian McKenzie, who hurt his left ankle after the fullback (who also plays first five-eighths) went down in the first minutes of the 54-0 victory over the Sharks.

Rennie said: “Richie is the obvious choice for a replacement. His job now is to get in now and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play.”

Noah Hotham

Crusaders, three tests

Why he has joined the team: Hotham missed out on the initial squad, with Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima and Kyle Preston named as the three halfbacks. However, with Ratima nursing a knee injury, Hotham is on the plane as injury cover.

Saula Ma’u

Highlanders, 0 tests

Why he has joined the team: Ma’u, a tighthead prop, has been called into the squad for loosehead Norris, with Siale Lauaki able to cover both sides of the scrum.

All Blacks squad in South Africa

Players added in bold

Loosehead props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia.

Tighthead props: Fletcher Newell, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma’u.

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater.

Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu.

Loose forwards: Ardie Savea (c), Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder, Anton Segner, Wallace Sititi, Semisi Ta’eiloa.

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham.

First five-eighths: Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Richie Mo’unga.

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa.