Dave Rennie delivers Ardie Savea injury update, Quinn Tupaea latest
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has provided an initial update on the health of both Ardie Savea and Quinn Tupaea.
The two All Blacks left the field with injuries during the Springboks’ 29-24 triumph in Soweto. Savea picked up a shoulder injury from a Jasper Wiese cleanout in the 30th minute, leaving the field.
Savea contributed two five-pointers during his short stint, pouncing on Springboks’ errors.
The All Blacks captain looked in severe pain, struggling to hold his right arm up on his own. Rennie confirmed post-match to Sky Sport and reporters in Johannesburg that Savea wouldn’t travel to Baltimore for the fourth and final Test match.
“Yes, shoulder injury. Not sure if it’s dislocated, but he certainly won’t be travelling to the States,” Rennie said in his post-match press conference.
“Oh, yeah, I think he [Savea] was massive, wasn’t he? But you know, Wallace Sititi came on and played well.”
The Chiefs midfielder got his knee caught awkwardly in a Springboks tackle early in the second half, leaving the field for Anton Lienert-Brown.
Rennie, when asked about Tupaea’s injury, suggested it was a knee problem. The Chiefs midfielder attempted to play on, but couldn’t continue.
“The report we heard during the game: MCL. I’m not sure the extent; he wanted to try and get up and run, but yeah, we just ended up making a call.
“So yeah, I’m not sure of the severity and whether that’ll affect him going to America or not,” Rennie said.
The All Blacks will now travel to Baltimore, in the United States of America, for the fourth Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
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