Uncapped Ma'u called up as All Blacks absorb fifth injury blow of Rivalry tour

Saula Ma’u, the uncapped 140kg Highlanders tighthead, has been called into the All Blacks squad mid-tour after Ollie Norris suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for six weeks, ruling him out of the remainder of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against South Africa.

The replacement marks the fifth injury update New Zealand have issued during the tour, with head coach Dave Rennie confirming the news to reporters on Monday. “Saula Ma’u is already on the plane over here to replace Ollie Norris,” Rennie said. “It’s essential for us to have enough front row forwards. We’ve got a Test on Saturday, and ideally we’d have two fresh front rows to play in that game, which means we’re not asking the Test guys to back up three days later. He arrives tonight.”

Ma’u’s arrival at tighthead is expected to trigger a reshuffle in the front row, with fellow Test rookie Siale Lauaki likely to shift back to the loosehead side. Pasilio Tosi’s ability to cover loosehead gives selectors the flexibility to “get Saula in the mix and have a decent look at him.”

There is better news in the backline, where Rennie said staff are “anticipating they’ll be fine” for the first Test in Johannesburg on Saturday regarding both Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, who have each missed the opening two weeks of tour action with minor complaints.

A question mark remains over scrumhalf Cortez Ratima, who has been diagnosed with a PCL injury. Noah Hotham has been called up as cover regardless of the outcome. “We’re going to see how it is over the next 48 hours,” Rennie said. “We’re a little bit thin at nine as it is, so getting Noah in will be good. We expect Cam to be ready to go on the weekend; we’ve still got KP [Kyle Preston] if Cortez is no good.”

Damian McKenzie’s availability is also unresolved after the ankle injury he sustained against the Sharks. “We’re hopeful with him,” Rennie said. “He had a light run yesterday and was doing more work with the physio this morning. He’ll play a limited part in the session this afternoon, and we’re hoping to get him running by tomorrow.”

Despite the mounting injury toll, Rennie was measured in his assessment of the situation, pointing out that almost all of the setbacks have been contact-related. “They’ve been collision injuries, outside of George Bell, who did his in a clarity jog session. It’s the nature of the game,” he said.