VERIFIED: All Blacks disclose Perenara’s replacement.
HURT: TJ Perenara, a scrumhalf hurt in New Zealand, will miss Saturday’s second and final Test matchup with England, the country has said.
The 81-Test veteran will not play in the match at Eden Park in Auckland after being forced out during the thrilling 16-15 triumph in Dunedin two days ago due to an ugly-looking knee injury.
“After conducting scans, we are obtaining expert guidance regarding our return to play schedules,” the All Blacks posted on social media site X.
Perenara made his first debut as an All Black in Dunedin since he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a tie with England in late 2022.
On Monday, Crusaders uncapped player Noah Hotham was called up to cover injuries alongside scrumhalves Finlay Christie and Cortez Ratima.
Joe Marler, an experienced prop, will be absent due to a foot injury he sustained in the first half of the Test match in Dunedin. England will need to overcome history to square the series at Eden Park, where New Zealand has not lost a Test since 1994.
Second row: all black In the most recent episode of Walk the Talk, Brodie Retallick speaks with Jim Hamilton about life in Japan, the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and the future of All Black rugby.