TJ Perenara’s harm within the slender win over England means the All Blacks have two rookie No. 9s behind Finlay Christie within the pecking order for the second Check on Saturday.
Uncapped Crusaders scrum half Noah Hotham, 21, has been introduced into the squad whereas 23-year-old Cortez Ratima appears to be like set for a possible debut off the bench.
Perenara began within the 16-15 win in Dunedin however suffered a nasty-looking knee harm late within the first half when Scott Barrett was rolled again into the No. 9s leg.
TJ Perenara (Photograph by Hannah Peters/Getty Photos)
Perenara was enjoying his frst Check since 2022 after battling again from an Achilles harm.
Whereas Perenara appeared in apparent ache after his leg was twisted at a clumsy angle, he performed on to the halftime break earlier than being changed by Christie.
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland stated the harm was “means higher than anticipated” however confirmed Perenara would miss the second Check.
“It regarded fairly nasty when it occurred however he’s higher than anticipated … means higher than anticipated,” Holland stated.
“Hopefully it’s not too lengthy however we don’t have a precise time on that but.”
The harm has furthered stretched the All Blacks’ No. 9 shares. Cam Roigard is sidelined with a long-term harm and Aaron Smith has retired.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson in contrast Ratima to an ex-All Black No.9 final week.
Cortez Ratima of the Chiefs. (Photograph by Mark Kolbe/Getty Photos)
“You do have a look at combos and somebody like a Cortez Ratima, he jogs my memory of Tawera Kerr-Barlow. He’s a competitor, he works so onerous off the ball and he’s nice at his craft,” he instructed Newstalk ZB.
“Scotty Hansen has been working with him from afar and he’s actually, actually impressed. That mixture with DMac (Damian McKenzie) is essential.”