All Blacks pay heavy price for Bledisloe Cup win

Four New Zealand players were ruled out of next week’s second Test against Australia on Sunday, denting their prospects of completing a clean sweep in the Bledisloe Cup series.

Forwards Asafo Aumua, Anton Segner (both concussion) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) will all miss game two in Sydney next weekend.

Wing Leroy Carter could face a longer stint out after injuring his ankle while scoring a try in the 50-19 first Test win in Auckland on Saturday.

Several key players were already ruled out of the two Wallabies Tests, many of them injured in the recent 3-1 series loss to South Africa

Assistant coach Mike Blair said the latest setbacks created an “exciting” chance to measure the All Blacks’ depth a year out from the World Cup.

“You’re going to get through numbers during your international season,” Blair told reporters on Sunday.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for guys to come through and step up and build depth into the World Cup. We want to keep the motivation high within the group.”

There are recalls for hooker George Bell, lock Jamie Hannah, back-rower Du’Plessis Kirifi and midfield back Anton Lienert-Brown for the upcoming match on Saturday.

Carter’s high ankle sprain could also rule him out of November’s four Nations Championship Tests after he fell awkwardly in a Rob Valetini tackle New Zealand coach Dave Rennie said “didn’t look good”.

Rennie and Blair did not want to comment on what appeared to be a “hip drop” tackle from Valetini, in which the defender swings behind the ball carrier and lands on his lower legs, sometimes resulting in serious injury.

World Rugby this week announced the tackle technique would be outlawed, but not until November 1, meaning Valetini is likely to escape sanction.

Rematch

Meanwhile, Australia will be without influential centre Len Ikitau for the Bledisloe Cup rematch after he exited Eden Park in the first half with a head knock.

New Zealand attack coach Blair praised his team’s dynamic display, with experienced back Damian McKenzie the spearhead after switching to flyhalf following injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga.

Blair said the diminutive McKenzie showed his attacking class after starting all seven previous Tests this year at fullback.

“Damian’s running game, his understanding of manipulation of space was brilliant, there was some good balance to our game,” Blair said.

“He’s a brave player as well. He was throwing his body into tackles, and breakdowns.”