All Blacks Hooker George Bell Returns to New Zealand Due to Calf Injury
In a regrettable turn of events for the All Blacks, hooker George Bell will be heading back to New Zealand after suffering a calf strain during training. This injury comes just ahead of the team’s crucial opening match of their South Africa tour against the Stormers, as confirmed by the team on Tuesday.
Replacement Called Up
To fill the void left by Bell, uncapped hooker Bradley Slater has been summoned to join the squad. Bell sustained his injury on Sunday and is anticipated to be sidelined for a duration of six to eight weeks. Slater’s arrival in Cape Town is scheduled for Wednesday, which means he is unlikely to participate in the anticipated match against the Stormers on Friday.
Coaching Response
Expressing his disappointment, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie remarked, “We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early. He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury, so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again.” This statement highlights the challenges Bell has faced in recent times regarding his fitness.
Squad Depth
Despite the setback with Bell’s injury, Rennie still has three other hookers at his disposal in the squad: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, and Asafo Aumua. The All Blacks are set to contend with not just provincial teams like the Stormers, but also face off against the world champions, the Springboks, in four tests during their tour.
Upcoming Matches
The All Blacks’ tour in South Africa stands as a significant challenge, given the high caliber of teams they will face, including provincial sides such as the Sharks, Bulls, and Lions, alongside the Springboks. The team will have to rely on their depth and experience to navigate this rigorous schedule in the absence of key players like Bell.
