Ruben Love ruled out for rest of 2026

All Blacks first five-eighth Ruben Love will miss the remainder of 2026 after being ruled out with an ankle ligament injury that requires surgery.

Ruben Love to undergo ankle surgery

Love sustained the injury during New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against South Africa and will now undergo surgery.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said the 25-year-old had been managing the ankle problem for much of the season, including during the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

“He sort of nursed it a little bit through Super Rugby. He’s tough, Ruben,” Rennie said.

The injury rules Love out of both Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia as well as New Zealand’s end-of-year Nations Championship fixtures in Europe.

Injury ends breakout 2026 season

Love enjoyed a significant 2026 campaign, helping the Hurricanes win their first Super Rugby Pacific title since 2016 before establishing himself as New Zealand’s starting first five-eighth.

He started the All Blacks’ first six Tests of the year in the No.10 jersey, including home internationals against France, Italy and Ireland and the opening three Tests of the four-match series against South Africa.

All Blacks turn to Mo’unga and Jacomb

Love was not included in the 34-player squad selected for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series because of the ankle injury.

Richie Mo’unga and uncapped Josh Jacomb have been named as the specialist first five-eighths, while Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie provide additional options at No.10.

New Zealand face Australia at Eden Park on October 10 before travelling to Sydney for the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium on October 17.