Ardie Savea To Have Shoulder Surgery As All Blacks Injury Toll Mounts

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder, and New Zealand Rugby has given no timeframe for his return to the field, the New Zealand Herald reported.

New Zealand Rugby said in a statement that a likely return-to-play date would only be determined once Savea has had the operation.

The 32-year-old loose forward dislocated the shoulder during the third test against South Africa in Johannesburg, according to ruck.co.uk, and did not finish the match. That outlet reported he will miss both Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia next month.

Hooker Codie Taylor took over the captaincy for the fourth test against the Springboks, played in Baltimore, which the All Blacks lost 43-28.

Who Else Is On The Injury List

Savea is not the only forward sidelined. Loose forward Luke Jacobson, who was hurt in the same Johannesburg test, has already had surgery on an elbow tendon injury and faces four to five months out.

Midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who plays for the Chiefs, will be out for up to six weeks after injuring his knee against South Africa in Baltimore.

New Zealand Rugby's wider list from the tour includes centre Billy Proctor, who fractured his shoulder blade and needs four to six weeks.

Halfback Cortez Ratima has a PCL knee injury expected to keep him out one to two weeks, the same timeframe given for midfielder Quinn Tupaea's MCL injury and prop Anton Segner's ankle inflammation.

Prop Ollie Norris has a knee cartilage injury and is expected back for Super Rugby pre-season. Winger Caleb Clarke ruptured a shoulder tendon and faces roughly five months out, a setback ruck.co.uk said ends his season.

Hooker George Bell, who had a calf injury, has already returned to NPC action.

What It Means For The Bledisloe Cup

With Savea, Jacobson and Clarke all unavailable, coach Dave Rennie faces selection changes for the Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia. Ruck.co.uk reported the back row will need reshaping in Savea's absence.

There was more encouraging news on lock Scott Barrett. He is working through return-to-play protocols with Taranaki after back surgery in May, and the province hopes he can play before the NPC season ends, ruck.co.uk reported.

No comeback date has been confirmed for the 89-cap lock, though there was earlier hope he could feature in the Bledisloe Cup and November's Nations Championship matches in Europe.

Squad Members Return To NPC Duty

Ten All Blacks who travelled to Baltimore have been released back to their provincial sides this weekend.

Tasman will have utility back Timoci Tavatavanawai and halfback Noah Hotham for Thursday's clash with Bay of Plenty at Trafalgar Park in Nelson. Bay of Plenty can call on prop Pasilio Tosi and outside backs Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa.

Northland has loose forward Simon Parker available for its Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties Manukau on Saturday. Canterbury will have lock Jamie Hannah for its evening fixture against Southland, who can select loose forward Semisi Ta'eiloa.

Taranaki has the option of picking lock Josh Lord against Hawke's Bay in Napier on Sunday. Ratima could feature for Waikato against Wellington the same day if he is cleared to play.