All Blacks send nine players home before finale

The All Blacks have reduced their touring party to 36 players ahead of Saturday’s fourth and final Test against South Africa in Baltimore, with nine players returning to New Zealand following the bruising third-Test defeat in Soweto.

Ardie Savea among three All Blacks ruled out

Captain Ardie Savea, centre Quinn Tupaea and loose forward Luke Jacobson have all been ruled out after suffering injuries during New Zealand’s 29-24 defeat at FNB Stadium.

Savea dislocated his shoulder, Tupaea sustained an MCL injury and Jacobson suffered an elbow tendon injury. All three will undergo further assessment after returning home before rehabilitation timelines are determined.

Their absence leaves head coach Dave Rennie facing significant selection decisions for the Baltimore finale.

Six more players released from All Blacks squad

Six additional players will also return to New Zealand rather than travel to the United States.

Fly-half Josh Jacomb, props Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma’u and Ofa Tu’ungafasi, hooker Bradley Slater and scrum-half Cortez Ratima have been released from the touring squad.

Ratima is recovering from a knee injury, while the remaining released players can return to their provincial environments.

The departures leave New Zealand with a 36-man squad for the final Test.

All Blacks must win Baltimore Test to level series

South Africa’s victory in Johannesburg moved the Springboks into a 2-1 lead in the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series.

New Zealand therefore cannot win the series outright but must triumph at M&T Bank Stadium to secure a 2-2 draw.

Rennie has several fresh options available, including Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane, Ethan Blackadder, Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo.

Josh Lord and Ethan de Groot are also available after missing recent Tests following head knocks, giving Rennie further choices as the All Blacks attempt to finish the series strongly.

New Zealand squad:

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Jamie Hannah, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder, Semisi Ta’eiloa

Backs: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love, Richie Mo’unga, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie