The All Blacks squad has been boosted ahead of their Trans Tasman Bledisloe Cup match this weekend as Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Cody Taylor and Patrick Tuipulotu return from injury.
Coach Scott Robertson says he is excited to have Roigard back, as his game management is strong.
The All Blacks have first choice hooker Codie Taylor back from concussion, which will be a major relief, given their lineout woes against the Springboks in the capital.
Back slightly ahead of schedule is lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who suffered a facial fracture in the first test win over Argentina in Cordoba in mid-August.
There had been concern for loose forward Samipeni Finau after he was seen wearing a sling on his right arm following Waikato’s golden-point win over Tasman on Saturday, but Robertson said the fringe option was fine.
Taylor and Roigard should come into the All Blacks’ starting lineup for Saturday’s match, replacing Samisoni Taukei’aho and Noah Hotham from the team that started in Wellington.
Ratima should then take Finlay Christie’s place on the bench, while it remains to be seen if Tuipulotu will feature in the match day 23.
The All Blacks will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at Eden Park to a 52nd match on Saturday, after beating South Africa 24-17 to make it 51 matches there without defeat at the start of the month.
A win would also lock away the Bledisloe Cup, which the Wallabies haven’t held since 2002, for another year.
Australia need their first win on New Zealand soil since 2001 to head home for next weekend’s test in Perth with the prized trophy still up for grabs.
There is all to play for in the Rugby Championship as well, with all four teams having both won two and lost two so far in 2025.
The Wallabies sit atop the table, followed by the Springboks, the All Blacks and Los Pumas.
The All Blacks play the Wallabies at 5.05pm at Eden Park this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Springboks host Los Pumas at 3.05am Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Source: Stuff.co
