In a bold move that’s shaking up the All Blacks' roster, Scott Robertson has been granted a "special exemption" to call up Leicester Fainga’anuku, throwing a lifeline into New Zealand’s injury-laden squad ahead of their high-stakes Rugby Championship battle with the Springboks at Eden Park this Saturday.
The All Blacks are grappling with a significant injury toll that has left their scrum-half stocks depleted. Cameron Roigard and Noah Hotham are both sidelined, keeping Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston on the team, while Cortez Ratima’s participation hangs by a thread due to a rib injury incurred in the recent loss to Argentina.
Stepping into this breach is Fainga’anuku, a versatile back who has just returned from a successful stint with French club Toulon and signed with the Crusaders. Originally set to be eligible for international duty later in the year, his call-up comes as an emergency measure to cover for the injured Timoci Tavatavanawai.
"Bringing Leicester in is a testament to his exceptional capabilities and our current needs. His presence is a significant boost as we navigate through this challenging period,"
Robertson commented on the inclusion of Fainga’anuku.
Injury updates also see Anton Lienert-Brown and Tyrel Lomax returning to the fold after recovering from concussion and a hand fracture, respectively. However, the squad will be without Patrick Tuipulotu, who is out with a facial fracture, and Roigard, still healing from a foot stress fracture. Both are critical absences as the team gears up for back-to-back fixtures against the formidable Springboks.
Meanwhile, the Springboks are not without their own drama, recalling a double World Cup winner to bolster their ranks, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting showdown.
The All Blacks training squad sees the inclusion of Sam Darry and Xavier Roe, primarily for training purposes, while Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson remain committed to their NPC teams for another round, with Clarke scheduled to rejoin for the second face-off against South Africa. The return of prop Tamaiti Williams from injury has allowed George Bower to step back from the Rugby Championship squad, though other injury cover like Tevita Mafileo and Josh Lord remains on call.
As the All Blacks reassemble in Auckland, the pressure mounts not just to perform but to emerge unscathed and victorious in what could be one of the season's defining matches.
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In a bold move that’s shaking up the All Blacks' roster, Scott Robertson has been granted a "special exemption" to call up Leicester Fainga’anuku, throwing a lifeline into New Zealand’s injury-laden squad ahead of their high-stakes Rugby Championship battle with the Springboks at Eden Park this Saturday.
The All Blacks are grappling with a significant injury toll that has left their scrum-half stocks depleted. Cameron Roigard and Noah Hotham are both sidelined, keeping Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston on the team, while Cortez Ratima’s participation hangs by a thread due to a rib injury incurred in the recent loss to Argentina.
Stepping into this breach is Fainga’anuku, a versatile back who has just returned from a successful stint with French club Toulon and signed with the Crusaders. Originally set to be eligible for international duty later in the year, his call-up comes as an emergency measure to cover for the injured Timoci Tavatavanawai.
"Bringing Leicester in is a testament to his exceptional capabilities and our current needs. His presence is a significant boost as we navigate through this challenging period,"
Robertson commented on the inclusion of Fainga’anuku.Injury updates also see Anton Lienert-Brown and Tyrel Lomax returning to the fold after recovering from concussion and a hand fracture, respectively. However, the squad will be without Patrick Tuipulotu, who is out with a facial fracture, and Roigard, still healing from a foot stress fracture. Both are critical absences as the team gears up for back-to-back fixtures against the formidable Springboks.
Meanwhile, the Springboks are not without their own drama, recalling a double World Cup winner to bolster their ranks, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting showdown.
The All Blacks training squad sees the inclusion of Sam Darry and Xavier Roe, primarily for training purposes, while Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson remain committed to their NPC teams for another round, with Clarke scheduled to rejoin for the second face-off against South Africa. The return of prop Tamaiti Williams from injury has allowed George Bower to step back from the Rugby Championship squad, though other injury cover like Tevita Mafileo and Josh Lord remains on call.
As the All Blacks reassemble in Auckland, the pressure mounts not just to perform but to emerge unscathed and victorious in what could be one of the season's defining matches.