AUCKLAND: All Blacks loose forward Victor Vito is returning to New Zealand after suffering a calf strain and will miss next weekend’s final tour match against Wales in Cardiff.
The big number eight rampaged home from 40 metres out to score a spectacular opening try in the tourists’ 24-16 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday before being replaced by Liam Messam just before half time.
Vito will not be replaced in the squad and reigning World Player of the Year Kieran Read is likely to start in the middle of the back row at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Lock Dominic Bird, who joined the squad as an injury replacement for Brodie Retallick and started against the Scots, is also returning home, the All Blacks said.
Meanwhile in Cape Town, South Africa have called up uncapped prop Ruan Dreyer as cover for Jannie du Plessis.
Du Plessis left the field during the Springboks’ 31-28 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday and is a doubt for next weekend’s test against Italy in Padova.
The Boks are already without injured back-up tightheads Frans Malherbe and Marcel van der Merwe, and with Gurthro Steenkamp unavailable to face Wales in the Springboks’ final tour match on November 29, the 24-year-old Dreyer has been drafted in.
“Ruan has been very good this season and played an integral role in the (Johannesburg) Lions’ strong performances in the scrum. This presents a great opportunity to work with him,” Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said in a statement on Sunday. AGENCIES
