The All Blacks will need to make further changes to their squad following the Rugby Championship after four players were ruled out of the tour.
New Zealand have struggled with injuries throughout 2025 and going into their final round of the competition against the Wallabies they were forced into several alterations.
Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot, who were all taken off in the Eden Park victory, were replaced by Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams respectively on Saturday.
Tupou Vaa’i was also a late withdrawal, leading to Fabian Holland’s inclusion in Perth, and the lock is set to miss the rest of the campaign in a blow for both the player and the All Blacks.
Vaa’i’s reaction
“As much as I want to go to war for my country. Our man above has other plans,” Vaa’i wrote on Instagram.
“I’m pretty sure my footy for 2025 is done. Time to spend time with family and to get better for Super season 2026.
“Tore my meniscus which I don’t know how long my recovery will take.”
There is better news on Barrett, who is “fine for the end of the year” according to head coach Scott Robertson, while Clarke and De Groot will rejoin the squad.
However, Robertson will need to find a replacement for Tyrel Lomax, who needs surgery on a broken thumb, and of course Vaa’i.
“He (Vaa’i) clicked his knee the week before. He got through training but then he stood up and it locked on him. He’ll see the surgeon now so it’s tough for him, he’s been in good form,” the All Blacks boss told reporters.
Sam Darry or Naitoa Ah Kuoi could come in for Vaa’i while Tevita Mafileo has been involved in the New Zealand squad as injury cover for Lomax during the 2025 Test season.
Other All Blacks absentees
Robertson will also be without Emoni Narawa and Noah Hotham for the November internationals with both of them long-term absentees.
It is particularly brutal on Narawa, who impressed in the opening minutes of their Eden Park victory over the Springboks, scoring a try, before suffering a serious rib injury which has ruled him out for longer than expected.
“That was a tough injury for Emoni. It was worse than we hoped or expected. He’ll be out for this year,” Robertson added.
“We’ve got a good understanding [of the replacement players] and we’ve got an All Blacks XV to select along with Jamie Joseph. They’ve been watching the NPC and who’s in form so that’s a tough team to pick as well.
“We’ve got some great depth and competition. We’ve given a few guys a crack at it and they’ve taken it. Test rugby takes a lot [out] of you mentally and physically so we’re really pleased.”
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