All Blacks beat Lions 41-35 as Anton Segner exits tour injured

New Zealand defeated the Lions 41-35 on Tuesday, but loose forward Anton Segner will take no further part in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. The German-born All Blacks flanker has undergone surgery after an ankle problem and will remain with the squad.

Segner was absent from the match at Ellis Park after being removed from the team for last Saturday’s victory over the Springboks. His ankle had become swollen, and the procedure was carried out to clear an infection through keyhole surgery.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirmed that Segner would travel with the team to Cape Town but would not play in the remaining matches. New Zealand will face South Africa in the second Test of their four-Test series at Cape Town Stadium as they seek a 2-0 advantage.

Segner is the fifth New Zealand player ruled out of the tour. Prop Ollie Norris, hooker George Bell, centre Billy Proctor and wing Caleb Clarke have already returned to New Zealand after their own setbacks.

The injury ends a short but notable run for Segner, who made his Test debut against Italy on 11 July. He was also named player of the match in New Zealand’s meeting with the Vodacom Bulls last week.

Rennie said the All Blacks would not call up a replacement because the squad has enough loose forwards now that the midweek fixtures are over. New Zealand’s latest win completed a clean sweep of the South African clubs, following earlier victories over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.

The coach also ruled prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi out shortly before Tuesday’s kick-off because he had a fever. Xavier Numia was used instead, while Rennie said several players could return for the weekend and that the squad had sufficient depth for the final two Tests.