Patrick Tuipulotu ruled out as All Blacks suffer another injury blow

The All Blacks have been dealt another setback with lock Patrick Tuipulotu ruled out of their Autumn Nations Series campaign following shoulder surgery.

The 32-year-old second row made three appearances during the Rugby Championship but continued to struggle with the injury, which has now forced him onto the sidelines for an extended period.

Tuipulotu is expected to be out for around six months, meaning he will also miss the start of the Super Rugby season with the Auckland Blues.

He had been named in Scott Robertson’s squad earlier this week for the northern tour, which begins against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on 1 November.

Instead, his Blues teammate Sam Darry has been called up to replace him, joining a squad already hit by injuries to Tupou Vaa’i and Tyrel Lomax.

Tuipulotu has 56 Test caps since making his debut in 2014 and his absence leaves a significant gap in the All Blacks’ second row depth. New Zealand will hope Darry and the remaining locks can step up as they prepare for matches against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

New Zealand squad:

Forwards: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tevita Mafileo, Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson.

Backs: Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Leroy Carter, Will Jordan, Ruben Love.