The New Zealand All Blacks face a challenging lineup for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia after four players were ruled out due to injury. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. AEDT at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner have been sidelined with concussions, while Ethan Blackadder will miss the game with a calf injury. Wing Leroy Carter, who sustained an ankle injury while scoring a try in the All Blacks’ 50-19 opening Test victory in Auckland last Saturday, may be out for an extended period. Carter's high-ankle sprain also casts doubt on his availability for New Zealand’s November Nations Championship Tests.
Several key players had already been ruled out for the Bledisloe series after sustaining injuries during the recent 3-1 series loss to South Africa. Assistant coach Mike Blair acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the opportunity to assess the squad’s depth ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“You’re going to get through numbers during your international season,” Blair said. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for guys to come through and step up and build depth into the World Cup. We want to keep the motivation high within the group.”
To compensate for the absences, coach Dave Rennie has recalled hooker George Bell, lock Jamie Hannah, back-rower Du’Plessis Kirifi, and midfield back Anton Lienert-Brown for Saturday’s clash. The All Blacks’ coaching staff declined to comment on a controversial tackle from Australian Rob Valetini that contributed to Carter’s injury. The tackle, involving a so-called “hip-drop” technique where the defender swings behind the ball carrier to land on their lower legs, has been slated for a ban by World Rugby starting November 1. Because the move is not yet officially prohibited, Valetini is unlikely to face any sanction.
Despite the injury setbacks, Blair praised the team’s attacking performance in the first Test, highlighting the role of Damian McKenzie. McKenzie has been deployed at five-eighth following injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga and started all seven previous Tests this year at fullback. Blair credited McKenzie with providing balance and creativity through his running game and spatial awareness.
“Damian’s running game, his understanding of manipulation of space was brilliant, there was some good balance to our game,” Blair said. “He’s brave. He was throwing his body into tackles, and breakdowns.”
The All Blacks will be looking to maintain momentum and secure a clean sweep in the Bledisloe Cup series despite the disrupted squad as they prepare for the crucial encounter in Sydney.