All Blacks count the cost of victory ahead of Bok rematch
NEWS: All Black head coach Scott Robertson will be forced to make some changes to his matchday squad for next weekend’s rematch against the Springboks in Wellington.
New Zealand recorded a hard-fought 24-17 victory over the Boks at Eden Park on Saturday, and there were a few casualties in that match.
According to assistant coach Jason Ryan, wing Emoni Narawa is “highly unlikely” to be available for the rematch.
After scoring the opening try in the second minute, Narawa left the field in the seventh minute with a rib injury.
Meanwhile, first-choice hooker Codie Taylor is ruled out of the Wellington showdown with concussion, with the All Blacks set to bring in cover.
“Codie, he will go through the protocols with a 12-day stand down, so he won’t be available, while Emoni is highly unlikely due to his ribs,” Ryan told reporters on Sunday.
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Samisoni Taukei’aho is set to wear the No.2 jersey in Wellington after he did an excellent job as a replacement in Auckland.
For additional cover, Robertson could call up Asafo Aumua or George Bell. However, Aumua sat out Wellington’s NPC match on Saturday due to an injury, and he could be unavailable.
The All Blacks will have plenty of options for Narawa’s spot with Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku and the uncapped Leroy Carter waiting in the wings.
Additional source: Stuff