McKenzie trending toward All Blacks return as Ratima's PCL injury clouds halfback depth

Damian McKenzie is on track to be available for the All Blacks’ first Test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, with assistant coach Tana Umaga reporting the fullback came through a key training session on Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury against the Sharks in Durban.

“He was sharp today. He got through what he needed to get through. So, he’s trending well for a big one this weekend,” Umaga told media. “Our medical staff has done a really good job, as well as our S&C, to make sure that they’re taking every precaution they can, but making sure that he puts his best foot forward to be available for the team.”

McKenzie has been head coach Scott Rennie’s first-choice fullback since Rennie took charge in July, starting all three Tests in that window at No.15. Should he be ruled out, Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Josh Moorby, and Ruben Love are all considered options to fill the role.

At halfback, the situation is less settled. Cortez Ratima is being monitored day by day after scans confirmed a PCL injury, with the All Blacks set to reassess his availability over the next 48 hours. Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham has been called into the squad as cover.

“So obviously we are a little bit thin at No.9 as it is, so getting Noah in will be good,” Rennie said. “We expect Cam to be ready to go in the weekend. We’ve still got KP if Cortez is no good and we’d need Noah to play on the Tuesday against the Lions.”

Rennie added that Hotham was enthusiastic about the call-up, having only recently come off the pitch for Tasman. The coach also noted that Cameron’s reduced recent workload was not a concern given the volume of rugby he has played this season.