New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has revealed that All Blacks second-row Sam Whitelock is to stay in New Zealand and will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship.
The veteran second-row will rejoin the All Blacks squad for their northern hemisphere tour.
Granted exemptions
Both Whitelock and Mo’unga’s babies were born already and the duo were granted exemptions on Thursday to quarantine in Queensland, landing on Tuesday.
“The timing of arrival meant that Whitelock would have exited his two weeks’ hard quarantine with not enough time for a tight forward to safely prepare to play against South Africa on October 2,” NZR said via a press statement.
Mo’unga will travel and be available for that clash against the Springboks as the All Blacks have more flexibility with their backs regarding preparation for a Test.
