Winger Mark Tele’a and flanker Sam Cane will not play in Sunday’s All Blacks test match against France due to injuries.
While Tele’a has a hand injury, Cane sustained a head cut during the victory over Ireland and will need to undergo Head Injury Assessment (HIA) procedures.
Sam Darry, who sustained a season-ending MCL injury during training in Dublin, has been replaced by Fabian Holland, while Du’Plessis Kirifi and Chay Fihaki, both members of the Blacks XV team, have been called in as cover.
Additionally, the All Blacks have announced that flankers Ethan Blackadder and Dalton Papali’i will not be travelling with them.
Cane, 32, was replaced during the second half of the New Zealand victory at Aviva Stadium. Following the test, pictures of the former captain with multiple stitches in his head were shared on social media. Cane faces a 12-day stand-down, just like Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor did last week.
On Saturday, on his last trip with the All Blacks, Cane made his 103rd test appearance. Ardie Savea may be moved to the No. 7 shirt as a result of his withdrawal, giving Samipeni Finau an opportunity to make his third start of the season on the bench. Peter Lakai and Kirifi, the captain of the All Blacks XV, will compete for a bench position.
“Next man.” Jason Ryan, assistant coach of the All Blacks, stated, “We have faith in our team and know that whoever takes over will perform admirably.”
“Sam has been amazing. Along with the leaders and the younger boys, he has been outstanding on the pitch. Although he has been outstanding, this week he will take a different approach to leadership.
Ryan responded, “I’d hope so,” when asked if Cane will be able to play in his final test against Italy.
Better news: Ryan stated that Taylor and Beauden Barrett are doing “really well” despite failing HIAs in the victory over England last weekend.
Both players were required to sit out a 12-day stand-down period in Dublin after they departed the pitch at Twickenham and failed their respective concussion tests.
France against. All Blacks, Sunday, 9.10 a.m.
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