All Blacks suffer massive injury blow as Greatest Rivalry series heads to USA
NEWS: The All Blacks will head to Baltimore for the final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry without influential skipper Ardie Savea.
Savea suffered a shoulder injury during his side’s 24-29 loss against the Springboks in the third Test of the series at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
The skipper was substituted after 30 minutes and replaced by Wallace Sititi, who had a solid shift in his first outing for the side on the tour.
“Yes, it’s his shoulder,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirmed after the game.
“I’m not sure whether it’s dislocated or not. He certainly won’t be travelling to the States.”
Before leaving the field, Savea had already scored two tries for the Kiwis, and they had the upper hand in the game.
The All Blacks maintained the tempo after his departure, but the wheels came off in the second half, and his absence was felt.
“He was massive, wasn’t he,” Rennie added.
“But Wallace came on, and he played well. We certainly aren’t going to use that as an excuse.”
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The All Blacks are also sweating over the availability of centre Quinn Tupaea, who was forced off the field early in the second half.
Tupaea appeared to have suffered a knee injury and left the field limping.
Rennie said he wasn’t sure of the severity of his injury and that he will be assessed.
“The report we had during the game is that it’s an MCL [medial collateral ligament].
“I’m not sure of the extent. He wanted to try to get up and run, but we just ended up making a call.
“I’m not sure of the severity and whether that will affect him with going to America or not.”
The All Blacks are scheduled to fly to America with the Boks on the same flight in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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