Cam Roigard withdrawn as All Blacks reshuffle squad for Sharks clash

Cam Roigard has been withdrawn from the All Blacks squad for their meeting with the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday night, dealing New Zealand another injury blow on the Greatest Rivalry tour.

The first-choice New Zealand number nine had been named among the replacements for the second match of the tour, but will now take no part in the game.

Cortez Ratima has been brought into the match-day squad in his place. Ratima started at scrum-half in New Zealand’s opening tour match against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday night.

The All Blacks have already been affected by a number of injury problems during the tour. Billy Proctor has returned to New Zealand after suffering a shoulder injury against the Stormers, while George Bell was forced to leave the tour last week.

New Zealand are also still without first-choice hooker Codie Taylor, who has yet to play on tour.

Luke Jacobson will captain an All Blacks side that includes Damian McKenzie at full-back and Ruben Love at fly-half. Fehi Fineanganofo, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett and Caleb Clarke complete the backline, with Kyle Preston named at scrum-half.

Wallace Sititi starts at number eight, alongside captain Jacobson at openside flanker and Tupou Vaa’i at blindside flanker. Sam Darry and Josh Lord form the second row, while Fletcher Newell, Asafo Aumua and Ethan de Groot make up the starting front row.

Ratima is included among the replacements, alongside Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi, Ethan Blackadder, Semisi Ta’eiloa, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa.

The All Blacks starting line-up is:

15 Damian McKenzie 14 Fehi Fineanganofo 13 Quinn Tupaea 12 Jordie Barrett 11 Caleb Clarke 10 Ruben Love 9 Kyle Preston 8 Wallace Sititi 7 Luke Jacobson (captain) 6 Tupou Vaa’i 5 Sam Darry 4 Josh Lord 3 Fletcher Newell 2 Asafo Aumua 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.

Roigard’s withdrawal means Ratima returns to the squad after starting against the Stormers, while Kyle Preston remains the selected starter for the Sharks match.

The Durban fixture is the second game of the Greatest Rivalry tour and will be played on Tuesday night. It comes after a difficult period for New Zealand’s squad, with Proctor’s shoulder injury and Bell’s departure adding to the absence of Taylor.

The All Blacks will therefore face the Sharks with further changes to their options at scrum-half and with several players unavailable because of injury.