Injured All Blacks Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson will travel home to New Zealand rather than to the fourth Test against the Boks in the United States as head coach Dave Rennie counts the cost of a brutal defeat in Soweto yesterday.
No.8 and skipper Savea has a dislocated shoulder and midfielder Tupaea an MCL (knee) injury – issues that may keep them from the field for the rest of the year.
Flanker Jacobson, who took over as captain after Savea left the field during the 29-24 loss at FNB Stadium, has an elbow tendon injury.
The All Blacks will reinforce their squad for the Test in Baltimore next Sunday – the additions are yet to be confirmed – and while a victory Stateside will ostensibly draw the series 2-2 there is no doubt the Boks and their supporters will claim the moral high ground after a performance this morning that was worthy of their No.1 ranking.
Going 2-1 up on South African soil tells its own story – never mind the money-making exercise in the USA - but a successful All Blacks' response would be a hugely worthwhile achievement.
While they overpowered the All Blacks in the second half through their pack, the Boks put in their best attacking performance of the series in matching the visitors four tries apiece.
They were also far better defensively than Rennie’s men, with wing Leroy Carter missing two one-on-one tackles in the lead-up to two tries, and they were far more clinical in front of goal.
Ruben Love’s three missed kicks off the tee – two in the second half that should have been converted – turned out to be extremely costly.
There will now be calls to select Richie Mo’unga to start at the M&T Bank Stadium after Love’s six starts in the last six Tests under Rennie.
The All Blacks will meet the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore at 9am Sunday.
Source: 1news.co.nz
