“New Zealand’s Injury Woes: De Groot Misses South Africa Tests, Fiji Thrashes Samoa in Pacific Nations Cup”
Prop Ethan De Groot has been ruled out of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship matches against South Africa due to a neck injury, as announced by the All Blacks on Friday. He will stay in New Zealand for treatment, with Canterbury Crusaders’ George Bowers joining the squad as a replacement. New Zealand will face South Africa in Johannesburg on August 31 and in Cape Town on September 7.
Additionally, locks Patrick Tuipulotu and full-back Stephen Perofeta are also sidelined with calf injuries. Captain Scott Barrett, who missed the recent home win over Argentina and a previous loss to the Pumas due to a finger injury, will lead the team. The Springboks narrowly defeated the All Blacks 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final last year.
In other news, flanker Kitione Salawa scored a hat-trick as Fiji defeated Samoa 42-16 in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji scored six tries to Samoa’s one, overcoming a 16-15 halftime deficit to secure a dominant win. Samoa wingers Pisi Leilua and Tuna Tuitama were both shown yellow cards in the second half. Salawa’s tries, along with contributions from Iosefo Masi, Frank Lomani, and Vuate Karawalevu, helped Fiji start the tournament strongly.
The Pacific Nations Cup features Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga in Pool A, and Canada, the US, and Japan in Pool B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, with the final scheduled for September 21 in Osaka. The next match is Canada vs. Japan in Vancouver on Sunday, and Samoa vs. Tonga in Apia next Friday.