All Blacks dealt second major injury ahead of Greatest Rivalry test series

Billy Proctor has been ruled out of the remainder of the All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry tour, reducing New Zealand’s options in an outside centre position that remains up for grabs.

Scans revealed the 27-year-old fractured his shoulder blade during Friday’s 38-21 victory over the Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. He will not require surgery but faces a recovery period of between 10 and 12 weeks.

Proctor will return to New Zealand later this week, ending a tour that had presented him with an opportunity to continue his battle with Chiefs star Quinn Tupaea for the number 13 shirt.

The Hurricanes midfielder started against the Stormers but was forced from the field early in the second half. Caleb Clarke replaced him with the All Blacks leading 14-7 before they pulled away to complete a 17-point victory.

Head coach Dave Rennie was unable to confirm the extent of the injury immediately after the match.

“It looks like a shoulder injury,” Rennie said. “There are some other guys with bumps and bruises too. We will have to see.”

The All Blacks provided an update Sunday after Proctor underwent further assessment.

“Scans have revealed Billy Proctor has a shoulder blade fracture,” the team said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

“This will not require surgery but will take approximately 10 to 12 weeks of recovery, meaning Billy has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour.

“He will return home to NZ later this week.”

Proctor’s absence is a significant setback for both the player and the All Blacks, who have yet to settle on an undisputed first-choice outside centre.

The South African tour offered Rennie and his coaching staff an extended opportunity to assess their midfield options. Proctor entered that contest with 13 Test appearances behind him and the chance to establish himself as a more regular presence in New Zealand’s starting line-up.

Friday’s game was his first non-Test appearance for the All Blacks on what is a unique tour in modern day professional rugby. Proctor made his international debut against Fiji in San Diego in 2024, while his most recent Test appearance came against Italy in a Nations Championship fixture in Wellington last month.

His departure leaves New Zealand down two players down from the original 44-man squad selected for the tour.

Crusaders hooker George Bell returned home last week after suffering a calf injury during a training session in Cape Town. Bell was replaced in the squad by Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater.

Proctor’s injury leaves the selectors with one fewer candidate as they continue to assess the long-term shape of their midfield with Tupaea, Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienart-Brown being the three remaining options to partner Jordie Barrett . It also removes a player capable of offering continuity in the position during a demanding run of matches in South Africa.

The All Blacks will continue their tour against the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday at 7pm local time. Facing Rennie’s side will be 44-year-old All Blacks centurion Ma’a Nonu who last played for New Zealand at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Nonu will be making his debut for the Sharks having joined the South African URC outfit following a second stint with French Top 14 powerhouse Toulon.