Savea's Shoulder Injury Rules Him Out of Baltimore as All Blacks Count the Cost
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will not travel to the United States for the fourth and final test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, according to the New Zealand Herald, after the number eight suffered a dislocated shoulder during Saturday's 29-24 defeat to South Africa in Soweto.
Savea was taken from the field just past the 30-minute mark after being caught in a ruck clearout by Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx. He had scored both of New Zealand's first-half tries before leaving the match. The damage was immediate.
South Africa scored a penalty try off a dominant scrum in the 36th minute and went on to take a 2-1 series lead. series lead
Savea Confirmed Out, Captaincy Up for Discussion
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie told Sky Sport after fulltime that Savea would not be joining the squad for the Baltimore fixture, adding that details of the replacement arrangements were still being worked through.
Rennie noted in comments reported by Planet Rugby that he was uncertain whether the injury was a full dislocation, but confirmed the shoulder was the affected area. He described Savea's performance while on the pitch as massive.
Wallace Sititi, who came on as replacement, acquitted himself well. Rennie was clear the injury would not be offered as an excuse for the defeat.
With Savea sidelined, the captaincy for Baltimore remains unresolved. Luke Jacobson took over the armband after Savea went off in Soweto but has since been ruled out of the fourth test himself after sustaining a tendon injury in his elbow.
Planet Rugby noted that Patrick Tuipulotu has skippered tour fixtures and Jordie Barrett is also a potential option.
An Already-Stretched Loose Forward Group
The All Blacks' loose forward stocks were thin even before Savea's injury. Anton Segner had already been sent home with an ankle infection, while Ethan Blackadder was dealing with illness heading into the Soweto match.
Savea had also missed the opening portion of the tour as part of a planned rest. The cupboard was bare.
Former All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao, speaking on Sky Sport, said Savea's presence extended well beyond physicality.
Ta'avao said the skipper's influence on match officials and his teammates made his absence felt far beyond what the stat sheet reflects, and suggested a full recovery ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle should be the priority.
Tupaea Also Facing Assessment
Centre Quinn Tupaea left the field in the second half after going down awkwardly in a tackle, with the All Blacks receiving an in-game report pointing to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
Rennie told reporters he was unsure of the severity and whether Tupaea would be fit to travel to Baltimore. A further assessment was expected.
The Guardian's match report noted that Ruben Love also missed kicks at goal that proved costly. New Zealand ultimately couldn't convert enough pressure into points despite matching South Africa's four tries.
Will Jordan and Samisoni Taukei'aho both crossed after Savea's exit, but the goal-kicking shortfall left the All Blacks five points short.
Rennie said some changes to the starting XV for Baltimore were always planned given the length of the tour and the travel involved, but did not confirm who would replace those now unavailable.