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Live sport on SN this weekendSititi running out of chances to stake All Blacks claim after illness blow
Sport Nation •  August 7th, 2026 11:28 am
Wallace Sititi | Photo: Photosport
Wallace Sititi's hopes of forcing his way back into the All Blacks' first-choice XV have suffered another setback after illness ruled him out of Saturday morning's (NZ time) clash with the Stormers.
The loose forward was withdrawn from the matchday squad after falling ill, denying him a valuable opportunity to respond following an error-strewn display against Italy in Wellington that saw him dropped for the Test against Ireland.
Anton Segner, who was not originally named in the 23, will start at openside flanker, while Peter Lakai shifts from No. 7 to No 8.
All Blacks team named to face Stormers | Scotty & Izzy
With the All Blacks having already selected their squads for the opening four matches of the season before departing for South Africa, opportunities to impress have been limited. While injuries have forced some changes, Sititi's absence means another chance to state his case has slipped away.
Sititi's omission comes after coach Dave Rennie made no secret of his disappointment with the 22-year-old's performance against Italy.
"It's a real shame for Wallace Siiti," said Sport Nation's Scotty Stevenson on Friday's Scotty & Izzy.
"I don't know if it's going to change too much for the All Blacks in terms of how they approach this game, but the runway is getting shorter for Sititi to prove that he should be back in that All Blacks 23 for the Test matches."
Sammy Ackerman added: "When he is on he is a game changer. Game one under the Rennie era was underwhelming and this was an opportunity for him to say 'that was just one game'."
The loose forward's scratching is the second injury blow to be struck for the All Blacks before a ball is kicked, with hooker George Bell forced to return to New Zealand with a calf issue, replaced by Bradley Slater.
