Codie Taylor’s calf injury chief concern as unbeaten All Blacks get ready for South African tour
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Job one done, job two looming large. Dave Rennie’s extended, and unbeaten, All Blacks will reassemble next Monday in Auckland to launch preparations for South Africa, with Codie Taylor’s calf injury, from Saturday night’s 40-21 victory over Ireland, looming as their chief new injury concern.
Taylor suffered a strain to his calf a half-hour into Saturday night’s test at Eden Park that completed the July Nations Championship sweep, delighted the sellout crowd of 48,153 and extended the All Blacks’ undefeated record on the ground to 53 tests over 32 years. He was replaced by Asafo Aumua who made the most of his extended burn to log an eye-catching 25 metres on the carry, a couple of defenders beaten, a pair of dominant tackles and a well-taken try.
There was no update to Taylor’s status when All Blacks assistant coach Mike Blair spoke to media at the team hotel on Sunday morning, but on Saturday night head coach Dave Rennie indicated it was the sort of injury that might take some managing on next month’s eight-match, four-test tour of South Africa, with Baltimore thrown in. Rennie’s 10 extra players will include another hooker, with Canterbury’s George Bell the most likely to join the incumbent trio
“It might mean he doesn’t play in the first couple of weeks in Africa, but we’ll know more over the next few days,” said Rennie. “I thought Asafo was excellent, and had a big impact. He’s such an athlete and such a beast. We’re pretty fortunate there with Samisoni [Taukei’aho] as well. He played really well last week against the Italians. We’ve got good options.”
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The other injury from Saturday night’s six tries to three victory that banked a third straight bonus point victory for the New Zealanders – matching the South Africans who dispatched Wales 43-0 with ominous ease – was Ruben Love’s knee knock suffered when he was taken down illegally in the air. The young No 10 initially played through the pain, before being replaced at the 56-minute mark.
His injury is not thought to be as serious as Taylor’s, with the 25-year-old who started all three July tests at first five-eighths said to be moving relatively freely after the test.
The general consensus post-match in Auckland was the All Blacks had delivered their best performance of July in dispatching the previously undefeated Irish with a degree of ease, leading 28-7 at the break, and never allowing the visitors a sniff of a comeback in the second spell. It was their fourth straight win over the men from the Emerald Isle.
Rennie’s big selection calls of moving Tupou Vaa’i to No 6 and introducing Patrick Tuipulotu to provide his physicality in the second row worked a treat, wing Josh Moorby produced another impressive effort in his first start and Damian McKenzie delivered big time on the faith shown in him as starting fullback. Love also continued his strong play in the pivot, before limping off.
“I’m really rapt,” said Rennie. “Ireland are such a good side. We asked a lot of questions of them and they defended really well for big parts. I thought the balance of our game was really good – we looked after the ball well, our big men carried and went a little more direct, and there was smarter kicking that created opportunities. And we defended well. It’s a nice way to wrap up three weeks.”
Experienced back-three men Will Jordan and McKenzie, player of the match with a game-high 114 metres on the carry and 8 defenders beaten, agreed.
“It was certainly the most complete [performance],” said Jordan who increased his record try tally to 51 with an opportunistic strike just before halftime. “We had good patches in the other two games, but our ability to be pretty composed and putting 40 points on the Irish is no mean feat. It’s a good end to what’s been a pretty productive three weeks.
Added McKenzie: “There was a really good balance between our run and kick games which set us up well. We defended really well too which created opportunities on attack, Our forwards laid a great platform, at set piece and carry, and that set up us backs. I’m loving the way we’re playing.”
The All Blacks now head home for a week before reassembling in Auckland on Monday week. Blair confirmed the squad of 44 was essentially picked, with just injury checks to be done. Rennie indicated they had already selected preferred lineups for the first four games in the republic with all squad members set to feature in the first week.
“It’s definitely a stepping stone,” said Blair of the July preparation for what lies ahead. “We’re also conscious of how impressive South Africa have been. They’ve mixed and matched their teams without seemingly skipping a beat. They nailed Wales who have got some really good attack players. It’s going to be big step up and we’re going to have to evolve and improve again.”