Another All Blacks player sent home from South Africa tour, reports say
An All Blacks player has been sent home from New Zealand’s tour of South Africa with immediate effect, according to rugby publication Ruck.co.uk. The outlet reported the news on its website but did not immediately specify the identity of the player or the reason for the dismissal.
The departure comes during the All Blacks’ southern hemisphere campaign, with fixtures against the Springboks still to come in the Republic. Tours of South Africa are regarded as among the toughest in the world game, both on the field and in terms of the disciplinary standards expected by New Zealand Rugby.
Sending a player home mid-tour is an unusually severe step and has typically, in past cases, been linked either to a breach of team protocols off the pitch or to disciplinary matters. New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks management have not, as of the time of the Ruck.co.uk report, elaborated publicly on the circumstances of the latest case.
Broader context
The All Blacks are New Zealand’s senior men’s national rugby union side and one of the most storied teams in the sport, holding three Rugby World Cup titles. Matches against South Africa carry particular weight given the long-standing rivalry between the two nations, often ranked as the world’s top two rugby sides.
Fans and journalists will be looking to the New Zealand Rugby Union for further clarification on which player has been released and the grounds for the decision, with the touring squad still expected to complete its remaining fixtures on South African soil.
Sources
This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.
- Ruck.co.uk — Another All Blacks star sent home from South Africa with immediate effect
- Sport Nation — All Blacks side named for Sharks clash in South Africa
- CNA — South Africa coach pleased with players' form ahead of All Blacks test
- CTPost — All Blacks begin South Africa tour with flattering win over the Stormers
