All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu is set for a stint on the sidelines after sustaining a facial injury in their Rugby Championship win over Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday.
The 32-year-old came on as a replacement for All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett in the 56th minute of their 41-24 victory and although he finished the match, he suffered his injury during its latter stages.
The 56-Test veteran was admitted to hospital after the game as a precaution and he is expected to be sidelined for about six weeks as he requires surgery on his facial fracture.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson admitted that losing a player of Tuipulotu‘s calibre and experience would be a setback for his team but is confident that they will overcome his absence.
‘He’s had a tough run’
“Patty is unfortunate, he’s had a tough run (with injuries). His value on and off the field is a great presence, he makes great decisions, his lineout calling is invaluable,” he told reporters in Buenos Aires.
“We’ve got options, we’ve got Josh Lord here, Samipeni (Finau) can play six and cover lock. We’ve got the depth.”
Tuipulotu’s injury means he will not be available for selection for the All Blacks’ eagerly anticipated Rugby Championship Tests with their arch rivals the Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland on September 6 and at Sky Stadium in Wellington one week later.
All Black taken to hospital in Argentina for ‘monitoring’ with selection rejig on the cards
He is returning to New Zealand and will be joined by experienced centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who also came on as a replacement for Billy Proctor during the closing stages against Los Pumas in Cordoba.
However, he sustained a head knock before failing a HIA Test and will now undergo concussion protocols to determine his return to play date.
Despite losing Lienert-Brown to injury, the All Blacks have enough midfield cover in their squad with either Quinn Tupaea or Timoci Tavatavanawai expected to take his spot in the matchday squad for this weekend’s rematch against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Key duo set to return to action
Meanwhile, Robertson also had some good news on the injury front regarding loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams and back-row Wallace Sititi, who could return to action this weekend.
“The load on Tamaiti and the running metres for Wallace have been really critical, obviously they’ve got managed minutes and aren’t going to go 80,” he said.
“I mean they could, but that’s not optimal when they first come back. But they’re fit and healthy.”
Williams and Sititi were two of New Zealand’s star performers in 2024 but are yet to feature at Test level in 2025 as they have been ruled out due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.