The All Blacks have lost a fourth player to injury with prop Ollie Norris departing for New Zealand after hearing his tour was ended with a knee injury.
The All Blacks announced the departure, as well as a replacement cover for scrumhalf as injury concerns still abound just six days out from the first test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Norris won’t be immediately replaced, but follows midfielder Billy Proctor, winger Caleb Clarke and hooker George Bell who have already returned home.
But that isn’t the least of the All Blacks worries with time ticking down before the first test and a number of players in doubtful mode.
First is Cam Roigard, who has a calf strain and needs to prove his fitness to start against the Boks. That injury has been compounded by a knee injury for his back-up Cortez Ratima, who was injured in the win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.
Canterbury and Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham has been called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover
There is also captain Ardie Savea, who is fit, but only arrived on Thursday after being given time off ahead of the tour, and hasn’t played and winger Will Jordan, who has a back injury and still hasn’t played on tour.
Norris is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks, and the All Blacks said they will announce a replacement in due course.
After the Bulls game Rennie sounded positive about Jordan and Roigard, but not so much about Damian McKenzie, who is limping with a twisted ankle.
“Yep. Both Will and Cam got through a bit of training yesterday, and we're pretty confident they're gonna be right by next week — both of them, we want to have a full week of training,” Rennie said.
“Damian's the other one — we're probably less confident about Damian, but still think he's a good chance to play on the weekend. We'll get a little bit on tomorrow, and then hopefully he can train well on Tuesday. So the expectation is that all three of those guys will be available.”
The All Blacks have called up Richie Mo’unga to the tour, but said he would not be available for the first test, with Ruben Love likely to don the 10 jersey.
“Yeah, he arrived, well, late last night. Very excited and jumping out of his skin. He's already done a fair bit of study, and we'll spend the next wee while getting his head around our game. We won't pick him in the first test — he's got a chance to get some game time against the Lions,” Rennie said.
The All Blacks will name their side for the first test on Thursday.