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Injury-hit All Blacks dealt two setbacks before Wallabies battle
Sport Nation • October 8th, 2026 6:30 am
Richie Mo'unga | Photo: Shaun Roy/Photosport
The All Blacks have suffered a double injury blow ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies at Eden Park.
Canterbury first-five Richie Mo'unga has been ruled out of the upcoming two Tests with a calf tear, sustained at Tuesday afternoon's training in Auckland.
Mo'unga's injury provides another selection headache for All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, who is already without Hurricanes first-five Ruben Love.
The All Blacks released a statement Thursday morning (NZ time) that Mo'unga's return to play is yet to be determined, although scans confirmed a tear.
Rennie's side still has a variety of first-five options in the squad, with Highlanders and Taranaki first-five Josh Jacomb a ready-in-line replacement, while Rennie and the coaching staff could turn to 145-Test playmaker Beauden Barrett. Damian McKenzie could also shift from fullback to first-five.
The All Blacks confirmed that no decision has been made about a possible replacement for Mo'unga.
Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty winger Fehi Fineanganofo will also miss the two Tests against the Wallabies, after picking up both a hamstring injury and a concussion playing in the Hilux NPC last weekend.
Although Fineanganofo passed the initial head injury assessment during Bay of Plenty's clash against North Harbour, the All Blacks confirmed that the 24-year-old failed the subsequent assessment ahead of the Wallabies contest at Eden Park.
Fehi Fineanganofo | Photo: Ron Gaunt/Photosport
Crusaders outside-back Chay Fihaki will take Fineanganofo's place in the All Blacks squad, joining the team in Auckland on Thursday.
Fihaki is yet to represent the All Blacks, but featured in a training capacity back in 2024 under former head coach Scott Robertson.
The All Blacks 23-man squad for the Wallabies is named at 12pm NZT on Thursday.
All Blacks unavailable due to injury: Richie Mo’unga (calf injury); Fehi Fineanganofo (concussion and a hamstring strain); Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee).
