All Blacks centurion out of Bok rematch
The All Blacks’ triumph over the Springboks at Eden Park came with significant casualties ahead of the return clash in Wellington.
Hooker Codie Taylor has been ruled out after suffering a concussion, while try-scoring winger Emoni Narawa is “highly unlikely” to recover from a rib injury.
Both blows were confirmed by assistant coach Jason Ryan before the squad departed Auckland, with a replacement for Taylor expected to be named on Sunday.
Codie will go through the protocols with a 12-day stand down, so he won’t be available, while Emoni is highly unlikely due to his ribs,” Ryan said.
Taylor’s absence strips New Zealand of one of their most experienced forwards just a week after he brought up 100 Test caps.
The hooker role could now fall to Samisoni Taukei’aho, who impressed off the bench against South Africa, while Brodie McAlister remains the other in-squad option.
Asafo Aumua and George Bell are waiting in the wings, though Aumua is battling his own fitness concerns.
Narawa’s injury is equally disruptive. The winger marked only his second Test start with a dazzling early try, but his exit forced a reshuffle, with Will Jordan shifting to wing and Damian McKenzie coming in at fullback.
While the All Blacks still boast Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku and uncapped Leroy Carter, Narawa’s loss is a cruel blow as he looked to cement his place at international level.
