New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu and full-back Stephen Perofeta will miss the tour of South Africa with injury, the All Blacks said Wednesday.
The pair are out of the Tests against the Springboks in Johannesburg on August 31 and Cape Town on September 7.
NEWS: Calf injuries will prevent Patrick Tuipulotu and Stephen Perofeta from travelling to South Africa
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 21, 2024
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They will remain in New Zealand for treatment, the All Blacks said in a statement. Both players have calf injuries.
Tuipulotu and Perofeta had already sat out last Saturday's 42-10 thrashing of Argentina in Auckland and the previous weekend's shock defeat to the Pumas in Wellington.
Waikato Chiefs lock Josh Lord and Auckland Blues back Harry Plummer will stay with the squad as cover for the injured pair.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has recovered from the finger injury which ruled him out of both games against Argentina. Prop Ethan de Groot (neck) and loose forward Luke Jacobson (hamstring) have also got over knocks to make the tour.
All Blacks squad:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell
Props: Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams
Locks: Scott Barrett (Captain) Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi
Scrum-halves: Noah Hotham, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima
Fly-halves: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Centres: Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor
Wingers: Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a
Full-backs: Ruben Love, Harry Plummer
AFP