Another All Blacks star forced home with injury ahead of Springboks series
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Ruled out.
The All Blacks have suffered another significant injury blow ahead of their Test series against the Springboks, with Caleb Clarke ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
Clarke will return to New Zealand after scans confirmed the powerful winger ruptured a tendon in his shoulder during Tuesday’s emphatic 54-0 victory over the Sharks in Durban.
The injury will require surgery, with a timeframe for Clarke’s recovery only expected to become clearer once the operation has taken place.
Clarke becomes the third member of the All Blacks touring squad forced to return home through injury.
Hooker George Bell was the first casualty after suffering a calf injury in training before the opening tour match against the Stormers, while centre Billy Proctor subsequently fractured his shoulder blade during New Zealand’s 38-21 victory in Cape Town.
Dave Rennie has decided against calling up an injury replacement for Clarke at this stage, with the All Blacks continuing with their existing outside-back options.
It’s another setback for New Zealand before the four-Test series against the world champions, with Will Jordan also currently battling a back issue ahead of the opening encounter.
The All Blacks still have two provincial fixtures remaining before and between the opening Tests, beginning with Saturday’s meeting with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Attention will then turn to the Springboks, with the opening Test of the highly anticipated series taking place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 22.
