All Blacks assess injured trio before Lions and Springboks Tests

New Zealand are waiting for further clarity on Anton Segner’s condition while preparing to face the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday and the Springboks again on Saturday. Segner will miss the Lions match after an ankle problem ruled him out of last weekend’s win over South Africa.

The loose forward was removed from New Zealand’s match-day squad before that victory because of swelling around the ankle. Further medical assessment has identified the issue as acute inflammatory arthritis, but the All Blacks have not established when Segner can return. His camp is also considering whether he will remain in South Africa or travel home.

New Zealand will definitely be without Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord for the second Test against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium. The prop and lock both sustained concussion injuries during last week’s match and have been placed under a 12-day stand-down period.

Their absences have led to the call-up of prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah. Both players reached South Africa on Monday and are expected to be included from the bench against the Lions at Ellis Park.

The additions give coach Dave Rennie extra cover before the team returns to Cape Town. Tu’ungafasi and Hannah were brought in quickly after the previous match, with the intention of limiting the workload on players who may otherwise have had to back up again four days later.

Segner’s uncertain timeline adds to New Zealand’s selection concerns ahead of the Springboks Test. De Groot and Lord are unavailable immediately because of the required concussion stand-down, while the Lions fixture will provide the first test of the revised group before Saturday’s meeting in Cape Town.