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All Blacks Lose Skipper Savea to Shoulder Injury
Ardie Savea will miss the final test after a shoulder injury, and coach Dave Rennie said he will not travel to the United States.
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea was ruled out of next Saturday's Baltimore test after suffering a shoulder injury during the 29-24 loss to the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Savea scored two tries before his first-half departure at Soccer City, allowing the Springboks to gain dominance and take a 2-1 lead in the four-test series.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie confirmed Savea will not travel to the United States, while centre Quinn Tupaea remains a doubt after suffering a knee injury.
Former All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao said Savea's departure will hit the team hard, adding, 'I would be surprised if he played again this year.'
Both teams depart for the United States on Sunday, with Rennie expecting to make changes to the starting XV in Baltimore, though he has not indicated who will replace Savea.