All Blacks No.10 picture shifts as Ruben Love set for surgery

All Blacks first-five Ruben Love has been ruled out for the remainder of 2026 with an ankle injury.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie did not name Love for the 2026 Bledisloe Cup series, as he nurses a recurring ankle injury he suffered during the Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Hurricanes playmaker impressed for the All Blacks during his six Test starts in 2026, trusted by Rennie for the big games despite having the experienced Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, and Richie Mo’unga available.

“Ruben Love will undergo surgery after sustaining an ankle ligament injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the year,” an All Blacks statement read.

“Wishing Ruben all the best with his surgery and recovery.”

The devastating news was exclusively revealed on the Sky Sport show, The Breakdown, on Sunday evening.

“Massive news for the All Blacks, we can reveal exclusively on The Breakdown that our All Blacks first-five, the man who has worn the number 10 jersey for the majority of the Tests this year, Ruben Love sustained an ankle injury in South Africa.

“He needs surgery, and he will be out for the remainder of the year. So, no more All Black Rugby in that 10 jersey for Ruben Love. Devastating news for him and such a shame considering it’s his time.”

Former All Black first-five and current Waikato assistant coach Aaron Cruden feels for Love.

“I am devastated for Rube, because he earned it through the way that he played and conducted himself through Super Rugby,” Cruden said.

“What a test to go and challenge yourself against the world champions over in South Africa. So yeah, I think all of us are just thinking of Ruben right now, hoping that he recovers really quickly, but it’s a good chance for him now to go and reflect on what a year it’s been.”

Both John Afoa and Jeff Wilson shared the same sentiment, including confidence that Love will bounce back.

“Well, that’s it. He was up there in South Africa against the world’s best, and he would have come back for the Tests against Australia, and he would have cashed in and really found some real confidence and then going into the World Cup year,” Afoa said.

“So I’m sure he’ll be disappointed, but he’s the kind of kid that still feels like he’s young enough to bounce back with a smile on his face.”

“It’s a shame, though, because he’s a player who’s had a number of injuries over his career to date already, and just when he’s starting to build his confidence in the jersey, the way he’s played all season, he led the Hurricanes to a title and for me, this is devastating for him because he was making so many gains,” Wilson said on The Breakdown.

“The experience he was getting, now he’s going to have to wait longer. He’s almost got to get himself back into this type of form again, and that’s not going to be easy.”