All Blacks injury update

September 23, 2024
5916
Ultimate Rugby

Crusaders outside back Chay Fihaki has been called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Wellington.

The 23-year-old made his Super Rugby Pacific debut under Scott Robertson in 2021.

Fihaki was deployed on the wing and at fullback for the Crusaders during their disastrous 2024 campaign, scoring four tries in 14 appearances.

Crusaders fullback Chay Fihaki has been called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover.
Photosport

Fihaki’s call-up comes after second-five Jordie Barrett suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s 31-28 win over the Wallabies in Sydney, further depleting the All Blacks’ numbers in the backs.

Barrett returned to New Zealand in a knee brace and assistant coach Jason Holland said he would not be able to train this week, ruling him out of selection for the second Bledisloe Cup test.

Stephen Perofeta started the first test of the year in the No. 15 jersey but is yet to feature in the Rugby Championship after struggling with an ongoing calf injury, while uncapped fullback Ruben Love suffered a thigh injury during an NPC match for Wellington the previous weekend.

Fihaki has scored two tries in eight appearances for Canterbury during this year’s NPC and has been brought in ahead of the likes of Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson, who are both capped All Blacks and have been two of the top performers in the provincial competition.

The All Blacks were forced to make a last-minute change at fullback last Saturday after Beauden Barrett was ruled out with illness on the morning of the game.

Barrett’s withdrawal presented an opportunity for Blues first-five Harry Plummer to make his debut off the bench, while Will Jordan moved from the right wing to fullback and scored the All Blacks’ opening try inside the first two minutes.

Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard has also linked up with the All Blacks in a training capacity as he nears his return from a long-term knee injury.

The All Blacks haven’t tasted victory in Wellington since 2018.