Tevita Mafileo replaced in All Blacks squad after training injury

There’s some movement in the All Blacks squad ahead of the team’s final Test of 2025 against Wales in Cardiff.

Uncapped prop Tevita Mafileo has been diagnosed with a rib fracture, ruling him out of the Cardiff clash. Mafileo’s injury paves the way for All Blacks XV standout George Dyer to join the top squad.

The 26-year-old has impressed in consecutive All Blacks XV tours, earning special praise from defence coach Cory Jane when the former All Blacks finisher was asked for a standout of the 2025 tour last week.

“I’ll just name one person, and this is going to be well out of the gate. It’s George Dyer. He’s been awesome,” Jane responded on Sport Nation.

“We had him last year, but somebody who just goes hard, wants to learn; the amount of questions he’s had for me on the defence side of things and just different tackles and different places you can get into position, to hear that from a front rower, mate, it’s cool. He really wants to be good.

“So, he’s one guy that has stood out to me and been awesome.”

 

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Dyer is joined by versatile forward Devan Flanders, who has come into the All Blacks as cover for Fabian Holland, while the newly crowned World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee is recovering from an illness that ruled him out of the weekend’s England loss.

Finally, Christian Lio-Willie will remain with the All Blacks as cover for both Samipeni Finau (personal) and Luke Jacobson (injury), who both flew home to New Zealand last week.