Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah are the latest additions to fortify the New Zealand squad. A seasoned campaigner, Tu’ungafasi, 34, boasts 68 caps since his debut in 2016 but has yet to play under Rennie's tenure, missing out on the recent Nations Championship. On the other hand, 23-year-old lock Hannah marks his return following his Test debut in July against France and is also known for his regular contributions to the Crusaders' starting lineup this season.
The injury plague doesn’t end there. Earlier on the tour, George Bell, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clark, and Ollie Norris were all sent home with injuries that prematurely ended their contributions, while Richie Mo’unga, Bradley Slater, and Noah Hotham have since been pulled into the extended squad.
"Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah have been called into the All Blacks squad as injury replacements for Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, while they progress through the World Rugby concussion protocols," a statement from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced.
"They will leave New Zealand immediately to arrive in South Africa on Monday."
Despite the disruptions, the All Blacks clinched a significant 33-16 victory in the first Test, setting a high bar for the remainder of the series. Anton Segner was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury, and Cortez Ratima is clouded with uncertainty due to a knee injury sustained last week against the Bulls.
Looking ahead, the All Blacks' focus shifts to their final franchise match of the tour against the Lions this Tuesday, before a rematch with the Springboks at DHL Stadium, Cape Town on Saturday.
The series continues to test the resilience and adaptability of Rennie’s squad, as they navigate through injuries and tactical shifts. The upcoming games not only offer a chance to extend their winning momentum but also to test the depth and readiness of their extended squad against formidable opponents.
