Details of Shannon Frizell’s knee injury have yet to be released by the All Blacks as they prepare for the Nations Championship tests in the United Kingdom next month.
Frizell joined an already lengthy casualty list after collapsing with a knee issue during the All Blacks’ 43-21 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney last Saturday.
Afterwards, head coach Dave Rennie could not shed light on the problem – which happened in open play without contact, while a team spokesperson this week said Frizell was continuing to be assessed by medical staff.
He therefore may not make the 36-player squad for the tests in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London (two), starting with a match against Scotland on 8 November NZT.
Rennie will announce his squad on Tuesday morning following Monday afternoon’s NPC final between Canterbury and Northland in Christchurch.
Loose forward Frizell came off the bench in both Bledisloe Cup tests after regaining eligibility following his return from three years in Japan.
The 32-year-old, who has played 35 tests, showed his power in several tackles against the Wallabies and remains a big part of Rennie’s World Cup puzzle.
The All Blacks’ recent Bledisloe Cup victory was notable for the second-half disruption caused by various injuries, including Frizell’s.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho injured a calf, with star wing Will Jordan not making it on to the field after halftime due to a similar issue.
Jordan’s absence was more precautionary, with Rennie will be wary about exposing his team’s top try scorer (11 tries this year and 56 in tests in total) to risk.
All Blacks wing Will Jordan toes the ball ahead for a try against Australia in his team’s Bledisloe Cup victory at Eden Park recently.
Joshua Devenie / Photosport
Key midfielder Jordie Barrett was a late withdrawal before kick-off due to a calf problem, with Richie Mo’unga ruled out of the two-test Bledisloe Cup series due to the same issue.
There is little doubt the calf injury epidemic will have prompted conversations at the All Blacks about training schedules and intensity.
The All Blacks showed during their blitzes in the second half at Eden Park and first half at Accor Stadium recently that they are an extremely fit and mobile team but is the preparation required coming at a cost?
Rennie is already without first-five Ruben Love – gone for the year due to ankle surgery following the South Africa tour – skipper Ardie Savea (shoulder surgery) and wing Leroy Carter, who had surgery on his left ankle after being injured scoring a try in Bledisloe I.
Fortunately for the All Blacks, utility Leicester Fainga’anuku, in excellent form for the Crusaders this year before he broke a leg, may be fit again and available for the tour, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) also nearing a comeback.
New Zealand began their Nations Championship campaign in July with three home victories over France, Italy and Ireland and play Scotland, Wales, England (plus a final) away.
The All Blacks will play only Northern Hemisphere teams and remain in competition with rivals South Africa for the right to play in the final at Twickenham on November 30 NZT.
The Springboks, who are similarly unbeaten after accounting for England, Scotland and Wales at home, face Italy, France and Ireland away next month.
Should the All Blacks and ‘Boks remain unbeaten, the top Southern Hemisphere side will be decided by points differential.
South Africa currently have a 30-point advantage over New Zealand but face a more difficult away schedule in the form of France in Paris and Ireland in Dublin.
France sent a weakened team to Christchurch and were beaten 34-32 after scoring a converted try in the final two minutes. The All Blacks beat Italy 47-17 in Wellington and Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park.
Ollie Norris (knee), Asafo Aumua * (concussion), Tamaiti Williams (spinal infection), Patrick Tuipulotu * (calf), Anton Segner * (concussion), Ethan Blackadder * (calf), Luke Jacobson (elbow surgery), Ardie Savea (shoulder surgery), Richie Mo’unga (calf), Ruben Love (ankle surgery), Caleb Clarke (shoulder surgery), Leroy Carter (ankle surgery), Billy Proctor (fractured shoulder blade), Shannon Frizell (knee), Samisoni Taukei’aho (calf), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Leicester Fainga’anuku * (broken leg), Jordie Barrett * (calf), Will Jordan * (calf), Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring).
* Minor, or return thought to be imminent