All Blacks Face Injury Crisis After Bledisloe Cup Victory

The All Blacks celebrated a hard-fought 33-24 victory over the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup match, but the win has come with significant injury concerns. Coach Scott Robertson may need to make extensive changes to his squad for the upcoming Bledisloe II match, scheduled for March 16, 2024, at the sold-out Optus Stadium in Perth.

Injuries struck multiple key players during Saturday’s contest, with Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Tupou Vaa’i, and Ethan de Groot all leaving the field. Barrett sustained a shoulder injury in the first half, and should he be unable to recover in time for the rematch, he could join his brother, Scott Barrett, on the sidelines. The All Black captain is also dealing with a shoulder issue of his own.

Robertson provided a brief update on Barrett’s condition. “He gave his shoulder a wee little nudge. He didn’t do it in the in-goal when he landed on it; that was his second action on it. He was gone after that and came off,” he explained. The coach noted that Barrett would undergo scans to determine the severity of the injury.

In Barrett’s absence, Damian McKenzie stepped in as the starting first five and has previously shown his capability in that role this season. The situation becomes more precarious if Vaa’i is also unavailable, as it would leave a significant gap in the lock position. While Fabian Holland has shown promise as a starter, the All Blacks would lack experience if he and Patrick Tuipulotu were to start together.

De Groot’s potential absence would also be felt, with Tamaiti Williams likely stepping in. Williams has been performing well but is still a less experienced option at scrum time. Robertson remained optimistic about Clarke, who re-injured the same ankle that sidelined him for nearly two months. “He needed an ice bath,” said Robertson, hinting that the winger’s condition will be monitored closely.

Despite these challenges, Robertson praised his team’s second-half performance, which echoed their recent victory over the Springboks at Eden Park. He noted, “We changed a few pressure options from putting pressure on us to putting it back on them,” referring to pivotal moments that turned the tide, including Cam Roigard‘s impressive 50/22 kick and subsequent try.

The All Blacks faced scrutiny following their record loss to the Springboks in Wellington, but Robertson revealed that the coaching staff found positives in their review of that match. “We played some really good rugby. We showed it at the start… then hadn’t finished our sets that well,” he stated, emphasizing the need for accountability within the team.

As the All Blacks prepare for their flight to Perth, the focus will be on recovery and readiness for the next challenge against the Wallabies. The stakes are high, and with injuries mounting, the team will need to adapt quickly to maintain their competitive edge in this storied rivalry.