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Sport Nation
Roigard ruled out of All Blacks' clash with Springboks, Fainga'anuku recalled
Sport Nation • September 1st, 2025 1:00 pm
Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
The All Blacks' halfback stocks remain significantly depleted heading into their gigantic Rugby Championship showdown with the Springboks at Eden Park on Saturday.
An official injury update on Monday morning has confirmed Cam Roigard will likely miss the rest of the Rugby Championship due to a stress fracture in his right foot, his estimated return to play set at three to four weeks.
With Noah Hotham's recovery from a high ankle sprain set at the same timeframe and Cortez Ratima "continuing to be assessed" for his rib fracture, Xavier Roe has been called into the squad as back-up in the No. 9 jersey.
Kyle Preston remains with the team and may be called upon for a Test debut as back-up to starting frontrunner Finlay Christie.
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Also scratched from the rest of the tournament is Timoci Tavatavanawai, who will be out for 12 weeks recovering from surgery for a fractured radius.
Midfielder and wing Leicester Fainga'anuku has been called into the All Blacks squad as cover for Tavatavanawai.
The former Crusader hasn't played a Test since the All Blacks' quarter-final win over Ireland in 2023.
Back from his 18-month stint in France with Toulon, the seven-cap international has been playing NPC for Tasman Mako.
With Patrick Tuipulotu also out of action with a facial fracture, Sam Darry has been called into the squad to firm up the locking cavalry.
Leicester Fainga'anuku | Photo: Photosport
Wing Caleb Clarke (ankle) and loose forward Luke Jacobson (thigh) will be free to play NPC this weekend and are considered available for selection in the second Test against South Africa in Wellington.
In more positive news, Anton Lienert-Brown (concussion) and Tyrel Lomax (hand) have recovered and rejoined the squad in Auckland.
George Bower excluded, all other injury cover players – Tevita Mafileo, Josh Lord, and Leroy Carter – remain with the squad.
Speaking on Sport Nation's The Rugby Run on Sunday, former All Black Justin Marshall said it was clear Darry had shown enough through his play in the NPC with Canterbury to earn a recall to international level, with an opportunity to add to the six caps he received last year.
"When you've got a player that has been out injured, all of a sudden they can fade into oblivion," Marshall said.
"Then it's about them trying to generate momentum to get and catch the eye line again and show that they've still got what it takes to be an All Black.
"He's shown that from the minute that he went back for his very first game."
