All Blacks provide brief injury update on Cortez Ratima

Just as you thought the All Blacks halfback injuries couldn’t get much worse, Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima went down injured in the 18th minute of proceedings in Buenos Aires, with what looked like a chest injury.

Ratima started both the first two Tests for the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, after both Cameron Roigard and Noah Hotham were unable to travel to Argentina with mid-term injuries.

Roigard suffered a fracture to his right foot during the home July series against France, while Hotham required surgery on a high ankle sprain.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

17

24

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

The Chiefs halfback’s night against Argentina was cut short after he dived on a loose pass from Tupou Vaa’i that hit the ground following a lineout move.

After full time in Buenos Aires, Scott Robertson told media at Estadio José Amalfitani that he wasn’t sure about the extent of his halfbacks injury.

“He’s (Ratima) getting checked out at the moment. He’s a tough little fella, so for him to come off, he’s pretty sore,” Robertson said in Buenos Aires.

24 hours after the bruising encounter, New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that Ratima has been cleared of serious injury in Buenos Aires, but will require further tests back in New Zealand to determine his return to play timeline.

All three halfbacks named in the Rugby Championship squad are still questionable for the Springboks Test matches in New Zealand coming up, likely leaving Finlay Christie and uncapped Kyle Preston as the only two fit and available halfback options.

If Ratima is unavailable for the next couple of weeks, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and his staff will likely have to bring in a third available halfback, to help cover the latest injuries within the squad.

Xavier Roe and Folau Fakatava loom as the most likely options to be called up, while former All Blacks Jeff Wilson, Stephen Donald and Justin Marshall have all predicted one additional halfback option.

Donald believes that Roe is probably the most in form option, and already has a relationship with Damian McKenzie from their time at the Chiefs.

Marshall would go with a more experienced campaigner, saying Tasman’s Mitchell Drummond could bring experience to the All Blacks group if called upon.

Wilson is keen to see exciting young Otago and Highlanders halfback Dylan Pledger, who has recently just come back from being vice-captain of the Baby Blacks in the U20 World Rugby Championship.