All Blacks Suffer Further Injury Blow After Record Defeat to Springboks
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The All Blacks are counting the cost of their historic 35-7 loss to South Africa, with scrum-half Noah Hotham suffering injuries to both his ankle and head during the Rugby Championship clash at Wellington Regional Stadium. The defeat marked New Zealand’s heaviest ever loss in test match history.
Hotham, 22, was forced off the field in the 10th minute after a collision with Springboks second-row Lood de Jager, failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).De Jager was also subsequently replaced, with RG Snyman scoring a try after entering the game.
This latest injury comes after Hotham missed the first three rounds of the Rugby championship recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the July Test series against France. With fellow scrum-halves Cam roigard and Cortez Ratima already sidelined, head coach Scott Robertson brought Hotham back into the squad for the match against the Springboks.
“The scan will tell but yeah, it’s sore,” Robertson said following the game. He confirmed Hotham is the All Blacks’ major injury concern and his participation in the remainder of the Rugby Championship is in doubt, with matches against Australia at eden Park in Auckland and Optus stadium in Perth still to come. Scans will determine whether the ankle injury is a sprain or a fracture.
Despite the setback, Robertson expressed optimism regarding the potential return of Roigard (stress fracture in his right foot) and Ratima (rib injury) for the All Blacks’ next match against the Wallabies on September 27.
“It would be a massive boost,” Robertson added.”it would be good to get a couple coming back the other way.”
Roigard sustained his injury during the series against France, while Ratima was injured in the 29-23 loss to Argentina in Round two of the Rugby Championship. A bye week next weekend will provide both players with additional recovery time.