All Blacks draft in experienced prop and one-Test lock amid injury concerns
The All Blacks have added Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Jamie Hannah to their squad as injury replacements following a head-clash incident in the first test against South Africa. Both injured players are currently under concussion protocols.
Why it matters
This report highlights the physical toll of international rugby and the logistical challenges teams face when managing injuries during high-stakes tours.
The All Blacks have been forced to fly over two more squad reinforcements to South Africa, with 68-Test versatile prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah the chosen two.
Tu’ungafasi is yet to feature for Dave Rennie in 2026, while Hannah made his Test debut in Christchurch against France at One New Zealand Stadium.
Rennie made the call after loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord clashed heads in the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against South Africa.
Both squad members will miss the Lions’ midweek fixture and will be under a concussion protocol cloud ahead of the second Test in Cape Town.
The two players fell off a tackle in the 37th minute, where they clashed heads, resulting in them leaving the field and not returning.
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