Mo'unga ruled out of Scotland Test as All Blacks manage injury concerns on November tour

Richie Mo’unga will not be available for New Zealand’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie confirmed after naming a 36-man squad for the Nations Championship, which includes the competition’s inaugural finals weekend. The fly-half, who sustained a calf tear during training ahead of the Bledisloe Cup Series, travelled with the squad to Sydney for rehabilitation work before joining the touring party.

“Richie won’t be available for Scotland,” Rennie said. “He’s a good chance for Wales. We made a decision that it’s better to bring him in. He’s a strong chance, obviously from the World Cup perspective, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job around him. He’s run really well over the last week, and we’ll continue to build it when we get to Scotland. But likely available for Wales.”

Patrick Tuipulotu is the only player among a cluster of injury concerns to miss out on squad selection entirely. The lock has been sidelined with a calf problem but Rennie indicated the decision was driven by competition for places rather than fitness alone. “He was phenomenal against Ireland,” Rennie said. “He had a little calf injury. He’s back running fully now; he hasn’t done any contact yet, but he’s technically available for selection. But the quality of the players we’ve got there at the moment.”

Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett, and Leicester Fainga’anuku have also missed time through short-term injuries but were included in the squad.

Prop Tyrel Lomax was left at home after a persistent neck problem proved too significant to manage on tour. Rennie confirmed the decision was made to allow Lomax proper rehabilitation time, with Siale Lauaki and Saula Fa’alogo providing tighthead cover. “Tyrel’s been troubled with the neck injury for quite a while,” Rennie said. “Saula’s a massive man; he’s had an excellent NPC, big scrummager, can hit things and make a presence.”

At hooker, the absence of Samisoni Taukei’aho opens the door for Asafo Aumua’s return alongside George Bell and Bradley Slater, with Rennie pointing to the position as evidence of growing squad depth. “Bradley Slater’s had a really good year as well,” he said. “So we’re starting to get a bit of depth.”

New Zealand’s November tour opens against Scotland before fixtures against Wales and further Nations Championship commitments, with Mo’unga’s return timeline set to be monitored closely given the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.