Ardie Savea, soon to be the father of his third child, will be absent against Australia
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The All Blacks will have to compose among other things, without Ardie Savea who will be a dad for the third time, against Australia on Thursday.
The All Blacks will travel to Melbourne for their clash against Australia, in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship without third lines Ardie Savea and Shannon Frizell, the New Zealanders announced in a statement on Monday.
Savea will stay in New Zealand to prepare for the birth of her third child, while Frizell suffered a rib injury in the 53-3 win over Argentina at the weekend.
In the squad, Luke Jacobson has been called up to replace Frizell, who started number 6 in New Zealand’s last three Tests. Hoskins Sotutu will be the eight-man successor to Savea, who is set to return for the final game of the campaign against the Wallabies in Auckland on September 24.
Note that Jack Goodhue, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who suffers from a neck injury, are still unavailable for selection.
Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao along with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Josh Dickson left the All Blacks squad so they could in their Championship.
Victory over the Pumas in Hamilton on Saturday propelled New Zealand top of the table ahead of next Thursday’s game in Melbourne.
The All Blacks group
Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Dane Coles, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu.
Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan.
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