- Breaking
- Sport
- Rugby
- Rugby Union
All Blacks lose star to mystery injury as Bledisloe nemesis looms large
Updated . First published at
Australia’s long-time nemesis Richie Mo’unga is set to start for the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup opener after Ruben Love was surprisingly ruled out of the series.
Love had established himself as Dave Rennie’s premier playmaker this season but the All Blacks announced on Tuesday that he had been ruled out with a previously undisclosed ankle ligament injury.
Ruben Love of New Zealand scores a try. nna\sworthington
Love started the first three Tests against the Springboks in South Africa before Mo’unga returned to the No.10 jersey for the fourth match in Baltimore.
It was Mo’unga’s first Test since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after he moved to play his club rugby in Japan.
The uncapped Josh Jacomb is the only other specialist five-eighth listed in the 34-man squad but Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie are vastly experienced and versatile options.
Hooker Codie Taylor will captain New Zealand in the absence of injured skipper Ardie Savea.
Former captain Scott Barrett has returned to the squad after a long layoff for surgery, as does flanker Shannon Frizell following his own stint in Japan.
After naming his squad, Rennie told reporters that Love had been managing the ankle issue during the Springboks series and he needed some time to get it right.
He was unsure how long Love would be sidelined but confirmed that Savea’s 2026 season was over, with a Blues debut in February now the return target after surgery.
Savea (shoulder) and Love headline a long list of unavailable players that also includes Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder) and Ollie Norris (knee).
“It’s great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell,” Rennie said.
“Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we’re thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.
“Congratulations also to Codie Taylor on the captaincy. Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as tour captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence.
Ardie Savea waves towards the fans. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We’ve held it since 2003, and we don’t take that for granted. Australia will be a real challenge. It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park.”
Rennie will also be able to select Fehi Fineanganofo if he wishes for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
It was announced earlier this year that the winger would join English club Newcastle Red Bulls following his New Zealand Rugby commitments at the end of this year.
An agreement has since been reached to allow Fineanganofo to remain with the Hurricanes and NZR before relocating to Newcastle after his NZR commitments at the end of next year.
Fineanganofo’s retention follows an outstanding 2026 campaign where he and teammate Josh Moorby scored 17 times to jointly set the competition record for most tries in a season during the Hurricanes’ title-winning efforts.
“The opportunity for him to play for us in 2027 is something we’re really excited about,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes scores a try at Eden Park. Getty
“He has obviously had an amazing season in 2026 by winning Super Rugby Pacific, breaking the try-scoring record, and being selected for the All Blacks.
“It’s been a hugely successful year, and he can be super proud of his achievements, so we look forward to that continuing next season and seeing him in pre-season once we get back together.”
All Blacks squad for Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Codie Taylor (c), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi
Backs: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Watch the Wallabies vs All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup. Add the Stan Sport package to watch rugby live and on demand with no ad-breaks in play
