New Zealand’s All Blacks face mounting personnel shortages ahead of their Bledisloe Cup series after first-five Richie Mo’unga and outside back Fehi Fineanganofo were ruled out of Saturday’s fixture at Eden Park, rugbypass.com reported. The squad depth faces an immediate test following a demanding four-Test tour of South Africa.
Calf tear leaves flyhalf sidelined without return timeframe
Mo’unga sustained a calf tear during a training session on Tuesday. Scans confirmed the extent of the damage, leaving New Zealand Rugby without a definitive return timeframe for the playmaker. No replacement has been called into the squad at this stage to cover the vacancy.
The absence compounds existing strain at No.10 for head coach Dave Rennie. Ruben Love was previously ruled out for the remainder of 2026 after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in South Africa. Love required surgery following a campaign where he started six Tests for the national side.
Crusaders player called up to replace injured outside back
Fineanganofo was withdrawn after sustaining a concussion and an upper hamstring strain while playing for Bay of Plenty. Scans confirmed the hamstring injury, and the outside back must complete a mandatory 12-day stand-down period for the concussion.
The Crusaders’ Chay Fihaki has been called up as Fineanganofo’s replacement. Fihaki joins the group to reinforce an outside backs division already depleted by the physical toll of the South African tour.
Bledisloe Cup Squad Casualties From South Africa
The latest withdrawals add to an extensive injury list carrying over from the matches against South Africa. Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Caleb Clarke, and Billy Proctor were sidelined immediately following the series.
Additional players carrying injuries include Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Segner, and Cortez Ratima. These cumulative absences leave Rennie with significant positional reshuffling ahead of the two-Test series against Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About All Blacks Injuries
When is the upcoming Bledisloe Cup match?
The Test takes place on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.
Who has replaced Fehi Fineanganofo in the squad?
Chay Fihaki of the Crusaders has joined the team as a replacement.
What is the status of Ruben Love?
Love is sidelined for the remainder of 2026 after undergoing surgery for an ankle ligament injury sustained in South Africa.
Training Ground Updates and Roster Management
Did you know? Ruben Love started six Tests at flyhalf for the All Blacks earlier in the year before his season-ending ankle injury during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Mo’unga’s return-to-play schedule depends on further medical assessments by team staff. Fineanganofo will concurrently manage his recovery protocols for both the hamstring strain and the mandatory concussion stand-down.
Related reading