All Blacks provide full injury update, players set to return for Hilux NPC round nine

New Zealand Rugby has announced the injury timelines for several All Blacks after a gruelling tour of South Africa, while some players from the extended squad are set to return in round nine of the Hilux NPC competition.

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea is set to miss the squad’s two Bledisloe Cup fixtures against the Wallabies, as the veteran is set to have surgery in the coming weeks for his dislocated shoulder.

Savea’s timeline is unclear, but the likelihood of the All Black loose-forward returning in 2026 seems slim.

Chiefs and All Blacks No.7 Luke Jacosbon, who was a clear contender for the All Blacks captaincy while Savea is on the sideline, will not feature again in 2026, after having surgery on his elbow.

Caleb Clarke, as he announced on Sky Sport on Sunday afternoon, is set to be sidelined until round two of the Super Rugby Pacific season, with a shoulder tendon issue.

Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor will be fighting the clock to make the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour squad in 2026, with his return to play set at 4-6 weeks after fracturing his shoulder blade before the first Test against the Springboks.

Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, and Anton Segner have all been deemed short-term injuries, with all three set to return for the Bledisloe Cup fixtures, barring any setbacks.

Ten players who were a part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will return to their respective Hilux NPC franchises for round nine. Chiefs enforcer Simon Parker is set to lace up for Northland for their Saturday afternoon Ranfurly Shield clash against Counties Manukau, while Jamie Hannah and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa will feature for Canterbury and Southland respectively.

Bay of Plenty’s depth will have the services of Fehi Fineanganofo, Emoni Narawa, and Pasilio Tosi ahead of their trip to Nelson to take on Tasman on Thursday evening. The hosts will have Noah Hotham and Timoci Tavatavanawai in their 23-man squad, after only featuring on a couple of occasions for the All Blacks in South Africa.

Ratima, if deemed fit, will feature for Waikato against Wellington, while Taranaki have the option of selecting Josh Lord against Hawke’s Bay in Napier.

Injury update:

Ten members of the All Blacks squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry sustained injuries during the tour. Below is an update on the status of those injuries (status as of 21 September 2026; return dates remain subject to medical clearance):

• Anton Lienert-Brown: Knee (MCL) injury. Likely return to play 4 – 6 weeks.
• Ardie Savea: Dislocated shoulder; will require surgery. Likely return to play to be determined following surgery.
• Luke Jacobson: Elbow tendon injury; has had surgery. Likely return to play 4 – 5 months.
• Quinn Tupaea: Knee injury (MCL). Likely return to play 1- 2 weeks.
• Anton Segner: Ankle-joint inflammation. Likely return to play 1 – 2 weeks.
• Cortez Ratima: Knee injury (PCL). Likely return to play 1 – 2 weeks.
• Billy Proctor: Fractured shoulder blade. Likely return to play 4 – 6 weeks.
• Caleb Clarke: Ruptured shoulder tendon. Likely return to play 5 months.
• Ollie Norris: Knee cartilage injury. Likely return to play Super Rugby pre-season.
• George Bell: Calf injury. Has returned to play in NPC.