Series-ending Wallace Sititi injury sees All Blacks turn to Blues star

The All Blacks have suffered a blow just days into their 2025 campaign, with reigning World Breakthrough Player of the Year Wallace Sititi ruled out of the upcoming France series with injury.

The explosive back-rower was initially slated to miss the entirety of the Super Rugby Pacific season after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason, but was cleared to make an early return to join the Chiefs’ playoff run.

A fresh injury, labelled a “high-ankle” issue, has forced the young star to seek consultation from a surgeon, who determined surgery is needed. Sititi will be re-evaluated in three weeks, with a more accurate timeline for return expected at that point.

The All Blacks were already carrying injury cover in the loose forwards, with Christian Lio-Willie included while Luke Jacobson deals with a short-term complaint.

The Crusaders’ bruiser, who finished the Super Rugby Pacific season atop the tackle count, will now join the squad officially.

Still needing cover while Jacobson is sidelined, All Blacks boss Scott Robertson has looked to Dalton Papali’i as the next man up in the loose forwards.