All Blacks Face Challenges as Two Starters Injured Ahead of Test

The All Blacks will be missing two key players for their upcoming second test against South Africa on September 13, 2024, at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Hooker Codie Taylor exited the field early in the first half during their last match, a narrow victory over the Springboks, due to a head injury. He failed his head injury assessment (HIA) after just 30 minutes. In addition, winger Emoni Narawa suffered rib damage following a mid-air collision.

The absence of Taylor presents a significant challenge for the All Blacks, yet his replacement, Samisoni Taukei’aho, has shown he can rise to the occasion. Taukei’aho is expected to start in the upcoming match, while Brodie McAlister likely moves to the bench. Coach Scott Robertson will need to decide who to bring in for injury cover, with names like George Bell resurfacing from last year’s squad. This situation also opens the door for younger players such as Jack Taylor or Manumaua Letiu to gain valuable experience in the All Blacks environment.

The wing position is less certain, as Narawa’s selection was somewhat unexpected, though he made an immediate impact with a spectacular try within minutes of the match’s start. Sevu Reece may be in line for a recall, and Caleb Clarke is now fully fit after playing two games for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship (NPC).

After Narawa’s exit, the All Blacks had to adjust their backline, with Damian McKenzie stepping in at fullback and Will Jordan taking over Narawa’s wing position. Forwards coach Jason Ryan expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but acknowledged areas needing improvement, particularly in the scrum.

“We were a bit messy, especially on our ball,” Ryan noted. “There was one where they climbed into us and we lost our footing. We tried to get back up, but it was too late. That will be a never-again moment.” This misstep directly led to a try by Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx, who capitalized on a break from No. 8 Kwagga Smith toward the All Blacks’ line.

Despite the challenges, Ryan highlighted the positives from the match, stating, “I liked the intensity we brought from the start. It had a bit of everything. We adapted well, but there were parts where we took the pressure off.” He emphasized the rapidly changing dynamics of test rugby, declaring, “It was on a knife-edge, but that’s test footy – it swings so quickly.”

This matchup against South Africa held extra significance for the All Blacks, marking their first home game against the Springboks at Eden Park in 12 years. “You often hear the saying ‘pressure is a privilege’, but the reality is pressure is a lifestyle when you’re in the All Blacks,” Ryan explained. He stressed the importance of maintaining focus and intensity in preparation for the upcoming test, stating, “There was a lot on this one, but we’ve got to make sure we build that edge and some this week. That will start with being brutally honest in the review around a couple of opportunities where we let them back in the game.”

As the All Blacks gear up for this critical test, the adjustments and responses to injuries will be key to their performance against a formidable South African side.