The All Blacks have suffered a setback with the news that loosehead prop Joe Moody will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship due to injury.
Moody injured his thumb in New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup-winning Test over Australia in Auckland at the weekend.
All Blacks Head coach Steve Hansen said: “Moods has had an X-ray which has revealed a fracture in his left thumb. He doesn’t need surgery but will be in a cast for six weeks and, unfortunately, will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship. The good news is he’ll be back in time for the Northern Tour to Japan and Europe.”
With All Blacks replacement prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen carrying an injury, Taranaki and Chiefs prop Angus Ta’avao has been called into the All Blacks squad as a replacement.
Hansen said with Moody injured, fellow All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe would now cover the loosehead prop position, and so the selectors had opted to bring in a tighthead in Ta’avao.
“Angus had a big season for the Chiefs during the Super Rugby season, was part of a very good Chiefs pack and has made big strides on the technical aspects of his position,” he added.
“We look forward to him joining the squad.”
The All Blacks squad will reassemble in Nelson on Sunday to prepare for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday, September 8.