All Blacks trim squad for Baltimore as nine players return home

The All Blacks have landed in Baltimore ahead of the fourth and final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series for 2026, but will be without nine squad members.

Head coach Dave Rennie announced post-match, after their 29-24 defeat in Soweto against the Springboks, that Ardie Savea was ruled out of the Baltimore Test with a shoulder injury.

Rennie said All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea was also unlikely to feature after picking up an MCL injury in the second half.

After the press conferences, it was announced on social media that All Blacks vice-captain Luke Jacobson would also miss the fourth Test in Soweto with an elbow tendon issue.

Joining the three All Blacks starters on the flight home from Johannesburg will be Josh Jacomb, Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma’u, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, and Cortez Ratima (knee injury).

Ratima is the only injury-forced decision from the additional six players returning home, after not featuring in the three Tests due to a knee issue.

Slater featured in two of the midweek contests, in place of George Bell, who picked up a calf injury in the first week of the tour.

Ma’u made his first appearance for the All Blacks against the Lions at Ellis Park, coming off the bench in an impressive late comeback. Tu’ungafasi was called in as cover when Ethan de Groot was concussed, but missed his only chance of featuring due to illness.

Jacomb, who was selected as part of the original 44-man squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, had three strong cameos in the black jersey, starting at No.10 against the Bulls in Pretoria.

All Blacks squad for Baltimore:
FORWARDS:
Asafo Aumua
Codie Taylor
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Ethan De Groot
Tyrel Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Pasilio Tosi
George Bower
Xavier Numia
Jamie Hannah
Sam Darry
Josh Lord
Patrick Tuipulotu
Fabian Holland
Tupou Vaa’i
Simon Parker
Wallace Sititi
Peter Lakai
Ethan Blackadder
Semisi Ta’eiloa

BACKS:
Cam Roigard
Kyle Preston
Noah Hotham
Beauden Barrett
Ruben Love
Richie Mo’unga
Jordie Barrett
Anton Lienert-Brown
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Fehi Fineanganofo
Leroy Carter
Emoni Narawa
Rieko Ioane
Josh Moorby
Will Jordan
Damian McKenzie

“The All Blacks take on the Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore on Saturday 12 September (local time).”