New Zealand centre Billy Proctor will miss the rest of the All Blacks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour after suffering a fractured shoulder blade in the 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Proctor, who is expected to need 10 to 12 weeks to recover, will return home from South Africa and will not feature again on the tour.
The 25-year-old started at outside centre against the Stormers but was forced off early in the second half. Caleb Clarke replaced him with New Zealand leading 14-7, before scans confirmed the extent of Proctor’s injury.
The All Blacks have not yet announced a replacement for Proctor. Richie Mo’unga remains among the possible options.
Proctor’s absence comes ahead of New Zealand’s next match against the Sharks on Tuesday, 11 August, and represents the second early departure from the tour in the space of a week.
Bell also ruled out
Hooker George Bell was the first All Black to leave the tour after sustaining a calf injury in training in Cape Town last Sunday.
Bell has already returned home and is facing a recovery period of four to six weeks. Bradley Slater replaced him in the squad and is set to come off the bench against the Sharks.
New Zealand began the tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers, but the result was overshadowed by Proctor’s injury and the earlier loss of Bell.
The All Blacks must now decide whether to bring in another player to cover Proctor for the remainder of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, with Mo’unga still considered a contender for selection.
The latest injury setback leaves New Zealand preparing for the Sharks match without two members of the squad who had been involved in their tour plans.
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