Ardie Savea OUT of Springboks-All Blacks Test in Baltimore as Dave Rennie offers update on captain
Ardie Savea (left) and Quinn Tupaea (right) suffered injuries in the All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will miss the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry finale against the Springboks in Baltimore, USA, head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed.
The number eight came off with an injury in the first-half of their 29-24 defeat to the Boks in Soweto, and it seems that will be the last we see of him in the Greatest Rivalry series.
This will come as a major blow to the All Blacks, who had already lost the likes of Caleb Clarke, George Bell, Anton Segner and Billy Proctor during their tour of South Africa.
Ardie Savea OUT of Baltimore Test as Dave Rennie issues update
Savea had already missed the opening block of the Greatest Rivalry tour after being rested, but it now seems like he will take no further part in the Test series either.
“It’s a shoulder,” said Rennie of the back-rower’s injury, which initially looked like a pec issue. “I’m not sure if it’s a dislocation or not, but he certainly won’t be travelling to the States.
“He was massive, but Wallace (Sititi) came on and did well. We’re not going to use that as an excuse (for the defeat).”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Savea’s confirmed absence for Test Four also throws up a wider question of the All Blacks’ captaincy in Baltimore. Luke Jacobson acted as stand-in captain in Savea’s absence for the loss at the FNB Stadium, and led the team against the Sharks. Patrick Tuipulotu has also acted as captain for the tour fixtures against the Stormers and Lions, while Codie Taylor skippered the side against the Bulls.
Key leader Jordie Barrett could also be an option.
Quinn Tupaea injury update as centre set for further assessment
Elsewhere, Quinn Tupaea has also emerged as a possible doubt for the Test finale in the USA, after he was withdrawn through a knee injury.
“The report we had during the game was an MCL. I’m not sure of the extent; he actually wanted to get up and run, but we ended up making a call. I’m not sure of the severity of it or whether it affects him going to America or not.”
