Rugby-mad New Zealand fans learned Monday that Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u has been urgently called into the All Blacks’ South Africa tour squad. The 26-year-old Tongan-born tighthead replaces injured loosehead Ollie Norris ahead of this weekend’s inaugural Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Prop Ollie Norris Ruled Out as Saula Ma’u Answers SOS
Prop Ollie Norris will fly home early after sustaining a cartilage injury to his knee during the opening weeks of the tour. Medical staff estimate the Chiefs loosehead specialist will be sidelined for approximately six weeks, ending his involvement in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
To plug the gap, selectors turned to Highlanders and Otago forward Saula Ma’u. Standing at 1.93m tall and weighing around 140kg, the imposing specialist tighthead arrives in South Africa with a reputation as one of the strongest scrummagers in New Zealand. Ma’u has already earned selection for the All Blacks XV in 2024 and boasts 58 appearances for the Highlanders alongside 40 games for Otago.
Bringing in a tighthead prop to cover a loosehead casualty creates a tactical puzzle for the coaching staff. Rennie explained that the adjustment triggers a mild reshuffle in the front row stocks, with fellow Test rookie Siale Lauaki likely shifting to the loosehead side of the scrum alongside Pasilio Tosi.
A Mounting Casualty List and Disrupted Backline
Norris is far from the only tourist sent home prematurely. The growing injury toll now counts four players ruled out since the team arrived in South Africa.
Photo: RNZ
Hooker George Bell suffered a calf injury during a clarity jogging session, while centre Billy Proctor damaged his shoulder over-jackling the ball. Winger Caleb Clarke rounds out the early departures with a shoulder injury sustained during the opening stages of the tour. Replacements have trickled in to absorb the blows, with hooker Bradley Slater and first-five Richie Mo’unga having previously joined the touring party.
Halfback depth has faced its own stress test. Cortez Ratima picked up a PCL knee injury during the 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria, casting doubt on his availability for the first Test. Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham has been rushed into the squad as cover, while Kyle Preston stands ready to take a bench spot should Ratima be ruled unfit.
Coach Dave Rennie Defends Tour Physicality
“You always hope for the best. They’ve been collision injuries, outside of George Bell, who did his in a clarity jog session. It’s the nature of the game. You look at Billy Proctor’s injury, when over jackling the ball, just the angle he got hit on. Obviously Caleb, it was quite amazing really, because we think he did that in the first half and he was catching the ball above his head and charging into people; it’s amazing what adrenaline does.”
Photo: Nzherald
Dave Rennie, All Blacks head coach
Fitness Clouds and Next Steps in Johannesburg
As the All Blacks and Springboks prepare to name their match-day squads on Thursday, several key figures remain under observation. First-choice fullback Damian McKenzie continues rehabilitation for an ankle injury that kept him out of the Pretoria fixture, though team staff expressed cautious optimism about his recovery.
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Cam Roigard appears poised to start at halfback in Johannesburg, shaking off a calf complaint that sidelined him for the first two weeks. For Ma’u, while a Test appearance against the Springboks remains unlikely, the towering prop could suit up against the Lions in the tour’s final match.
