Ardie Savea set for shoulder surgery

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea is set to undergo shoulder surgery after suffering a dislocation during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against South Africa, ruling him out of next month’s Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.

Ardie Savea ruled out of Bledisloe Cup Tests

Savea suffered the injury during the third Test against the Springboks and subsequently missed New Zealand’s series finale in Baltimore.

The All Blacks lost the four-Test series 3-1, with South Africa recovering from defeat in the opener to win the final three matches.

New Zealand Rugby said Savea’s return-to-play timeline will be determined following surgery, leaving his availability for the concluding Nations Championship fixtures in November uncertain.

All Blacks confirm major injury setbacks

Savea was among 10 players included in New Zealand’s latest injury update following the demanding South Africa series.

Loose forward Luke Jacobson has undergone surgery on an elbow tendon injury and is expected to be sidelined for four to five months. Wing Caleb Clarke faces around five months out after rupturing a shoulder tendon.

Prop Ollie Norris is recovering from a knee cartilage injury and is expected to return during the Super Rugby pre-season.

Centres Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor are expected to be unavailable for four to six weeks with an MCL knee injury and fractured shoulder blade respectively.

Tupaea and Segner closer to All Blacks returns

There was more encouraging news for Quinn Tupaea and Anton Segner, who are both expected to return within one to two weeks. Tupaea is recovering from an MCL knee injury, while Segner has been dealing with ankle-joint inflammation.

Halfback Cortez Ratima is also listed as one to two weeks away from returning following a PCL knee injury.

Hooker George Bell, meanwhile, has already returned to provincial rugby after recovering from a calf problem.