All Blacks try-scoring machine Emoni Narawa is set to miss their rematch at Wellington next Saturday due to injury.
According to Assistant Coach Jason Ryan, Narawa was forced off early in the 24-17 victory at Eden Park with a rib injury.
The All Blacks’ victory over the Springboks last night has come at a cost, with Narawa and first-choice hooker Codie Taylor ruled out for the rematch.
Taylor is out due to a concussion.
Ryan says a replacement would be summoned for Taylor ahead of the round four Rugby Championship fixture, potentially as early as this afternoon.
Asafo Aumua and George Bell loom as potential candidates after featuring for the All Blacks last year, though Aumua sat out Wellington’s NPC defeat to Hawke’s Bay yesterday with an injury of his own and may not be available.
He was unavailable due to a previous injury sustained during the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific season when the squad was originally picked, while Bell was overlooked for Chiefs duo Samisoni Taukei'aho and Brodie McAlister.
Taukei'aho came off the bench against the Springboks and performed admirably in one of the biggest tests of his career, while McAlister has not been used outside of his debut in the third test against France in July.
The All Blacks should already have ample cover in their squad for Narawa, with Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, and the uncapped Leroy Carter waiting in the wings.
The All Blacks will take on South Africa at 7.05pm Saturday at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Stuff.co.nz
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