Rennie forced into All Blacks reshuffle for Baltimore as Savea, Jacobson and Tupaea head home injured

Dave Rennie will overhaul his All Blacks side for the fourth and final Test against the United States in Baltimore, with at least three forced changes driven by injury and a pre-planned rotation policy the coaching staff had already committed to before the tour began.

Captain Ardie Savea, openside flanker Luke Jacobson and centre Quinn Tupaea have all been sent home after succumbing to injuries, stripping Rennie of three players who had started every Test under his tenure. The back row will be entirely new, while the midfield also requires reconstruction following the loss of both Tupaea and Billy Proctor.

“We sort of always thought we would make changes in the fourth test regardless of whether we won that third one or not,” Rennie told reporters. “We want to make sure we are bringing in guys with plenty of energy and to share the load.”

In the centres, the door is open for Rieko Ioane or Anton Lienert-Brown to return to the starting XV. Lienert-Brown has been the preferred bench option throughout the series, while Ioane impressed during the warm-up fixtures against South African club sides.

Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is in contention for a recall after a strong performance against the Lions in the final warm-up game. First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, who rejoined the squad midway through the tour, could also be handed a start, with Ruben Love having featured in six consecutive matches.

Despite the disruption, Rennie remained confident his squad has the depth to level the series at 2-2 and salvage something meaningful from the tour.

“We have definitely got one more in us,” he said. “There is massive emotional disappointment, but there’s a lot to play for in our minds. We can win this weekend and tie the series two-all and will go home knowing we’re in a better spot than when we arrived.”