All Blacks Investigate Growing Injury List As Dave Rennie Questions Training Loads
- New Zealand’s growing injury list has prompted a closer look at how players prepare between international matches
- Several calf injuries have raised questions about the balance between training intensity and recovery
- Dave Rennie has explained why one fit-again All Blacks forward has not made the latest squad
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Source: Getty Images
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that the All Blacks are examining their training loads after a series of calf injuries raised questions about the team’s preparation ahead of their November international campaign. The coaching staff are investigating whether they need to make adjustments as they seek to maintain the intensity required for Test rugby.
In comments published by Planet Rugby on 28 October 2026, Rennie acknowledged that not every injury could be attributed to collisions during matches.
“We just got to make sure that we get our loading right too,” he said, explaining why the team was reviewing its preparation.
Dave Rennie examines All Blacks training loads
Several New Zealand players have experienced calf problems, including Jordie Barrett, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Patrick Tuipulotu. The coaching staff are particularly interested in understanding why multiple injuries of the same type have occurred.
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Rennie explained that the staff monitored players who trained away from the national squad through GPS tracking. This allowed the staff to assess their individual programmes before they returned to the team environment.
“We had a few calves over the last couple of weeks, so we’ve looked carefully at our loading,” Rennie said.
He added that the team needed to train at an intensity that matched the style of rugby it wanted to play, while ensuring that workloads were properly managed.
Rennie also dismissed suggestions that the collisions involving Ardie Savea and Billy Proctor were illegal. He described such incidents as part of the physical demands of the sport.
Patrick Tuipulotu misses out despite returning to fitness
Lock Tuipulotu has resumed running after a calf injury but has yet to complete full-contact training. Although he is technically available for selection, Rennie said the forward was not included in the latest squad.
“Patty was phenomenal against Ireland,” Rennie said, while noting that the quality of the available players had influenced the selection decision.
All Blacks prepare for November Tests
New Zealand are preparing to face Scotland, Wales and England during November’s Nations Championship fixtures. Managing player workloads will be important as the team tackles three consecutive weekends of international rugby.
The review gives the coaching staff an opportunity to examine their preparation methods while maintaining the physical standards expected at Test level.
Source: Getty Images
Springboks lose four World Cup winners to injury ahead of November Tests
Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks face a major injury setback ahead of their November Nations Championship tour, with four Rugby World Cup winners ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Rassie Erasmus must now prepare for the European campaign without several experienced stars.
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Source: Briefly News
