All Blacks call in more reinforcements after Sam Cane injury

The All Blacks have called upon three All Blacks XV players to join the top squad after counting their injury woes from the weekend’s Ireland Test.

Following the Dublin win, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson revealed a season-ending MCL injury had befallen rookie lock Sam Darry, while further medical examination has found Sam Cane ineligible for the coming France Test due to concussion. Star winger Mark Tele’a has also been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Fresh off their 31-13 win over Georgia, All Blacks XV stars Fabian Holland and captain Du’Plessis Kirifi have been called in as injury cover in the forwards and Chay Fihaki will rejoin the team in the backs.

AJ Lam will stay with the team as Harry Plummer’s replacement as Plummer deals with a leg injury. Plummer was included as cover for Billy Proctor, who returned to New Zealand to be with his partner for the birth of their child.

It will be 22-year-old Holland’s first stint with the New Zealand squad since becoming eligible for All Blacks selection in August. The 204 cm Highlanders lock was born in the Netherlands before moving to New Zealand to pursue his rugby dream in high school.

Du’Plessis Kirifi has previously joined the All Blacks as injury cover in 2020, although is yet to debut for the team. Fihaki was briefly involved with the team in September during Jordie Barrett’s absence.

“It’s next man in and we back our squad. We back our squad and we have no doubt whoever comes in will do a great job,” All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said in response to the injuries.

“Sam’s been immense, he’s been exceptional on the field, and also with the leaders and the younger boys. He’s been phenomenal, but he’ll lead in a different way this week.”

Some good news for All Blacks fans comes in the form of Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor, who are on track to be available for the France Test after missing the Ireland game through concussion.