Scott Robertson adds George Bell to squad for second Springboks Test

Scott Robertson has fronted media in Wellington to give a squad update ahead of the second Springboks Test match this weekend at Sky Stadium.

Both Codie Taylor and Emoni Narawa will miss the second Test in Wellington, which will see Crusaders hooker George Bell and Auckland winger Caleb Clarke join the squad to bolster the depth for this weekend.

Bell got through Canterbury’s Ranfurly Shield victory last weekend against Southland, and will provide additional depth for the All Blacks as Taylor’s failed HIA means he will have to go through a 12 day stand down period.

Robertson explains that he’s confident with their hooker depth at the moment, especially with the experience of Samisoni Taukei’aho.

“Look Samisoni has been an All Black for a long period of time, he’ll tweak his game to make some adjustments where he can get a little bit better for this weekend, and he played majority of the games for us this year,” Robertson said.

“So he’s good to go, George Bell has been in around the environment, and Brodie’s been with us for a long time now, their all great scrummagers and good line out throwers and they all know their way around the field.”

For Clarke, the plan was always to bring him back in after the first Test at Eden Park, and with Narawa’s rib injury ruling him out of this weekend’s Test, Robertson will have the option of bringing back the 29-Test winger into the 23-man squad for Wellington.

Robertson also confirmed to media in Wellington that Luke Jacobson has re-joined the squad for the second Test, after his two for Waikato in the Bunnings NPC competition.

Two-Test All Black Noah Hotham is the latest injured player to be close to returning, after getting through some work late last week in the lead up to the Test at Eden Park.

But for Cameron Roigard, Robertson confirms that this weekend’s Test in Wellington will be too soon for the Hurricanes halfback.

“Noah Hotham comes back into the picture as an option, it’s good to get a couple come the other way, and Cam’s tracking well, but he won’t be ready for this weekend.”