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'A step too far for him': Scott Robertson gives Hoskins Sotutu update

The omission of Hoskins Sotutu caused a stir in what was otherwise a safe squad selection (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Another major blow for Super Rugby Pacific MVP Hoskins Sotutu was dealt this week as the No. 8 was ruled out of the All Blacks XV tour – and potentially an All Blacks recall.

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Having missed selection for not just the All Blacks but All Blacks XV in 2023, Sotutu produced a firey bounce-back Super Rugby campaign in 2024, proving to be the best player on the competition’s best team and demanding national selectors reconsider him.

However, those selectors had other ideas. For the 2024 campaign’s opening series against England, a hard-edged, defence-minded back row unit that overlooked Sotutu’s X-factor in favour of the nitty-gritty exponents was unveiled. When it came time for The Rugby Championship squad, the same headline omission was registered.

Fast forward to the Northern Tour squad, and the prognosis was slightly more promising for Sotutu. While he again missed selection in the top squad, his inclusion in the All Blacks XV offered Sotutu a crucial opportunity to perform on the international stage once again and prove himself ready.

Then, a slew of All Blacks loose forward injuries were revealed, meaning the team would require extra cover, opening the door for Sotutu to step back into the All Blacks environment.

However, news broke on Wednesday that Sotutu would miss his first crack at a black jersey in 48 months thanks to a knee injury, news that Scott Robertson expanded on for media in Auckland.

“We were going to bring Hoskins in, but he’s injured,” the coach revealed, discussing plans for a select few members of the All Blacks XV team to join the All Blacks in Tokyo, training for the Japan Test.

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“We’ve considered it over the last couple of days, with his knee, with the scans, he won’t come.

“So, we’re going to make a call on the next loose forward over the next week or two that will come up. But, one of those locks can cover six as well, we believe, and then there’s one left.

“It’s great to have Josh Lord come in and get around the group and the environment, he played incredibly well for Taranaki. So, that’s the angle we’ve taken.”

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With three loose forwards injured ahead of the tour – Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder – the team have brought in Peter Lakai as well as Lord to help cover. Interestingly, Robertson’s analysis reveals the team are still open to playing a lock – presumably Tupou Vaa’i – at blindside.

Now that Sotutu is unavailable, it appears another All Blacks XV member will be called upon as additional cover.

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Expanding on the nature of the Blues star’s injury, Robertson said it’s been lingering over the past month.

“He’s been injured for the last four weeks, he’s been playing on the knee. So, both medical groups, Counties (Manukau) and the All Blacks medical crew got together and they decided to get through this tour is probably a step too far for him.

“He’s looking at his options, if he rests it or gets surgery.”

With speculation swirling over the 26-year-old’s future, given his eligibility for both England and Fiji, Robertson was asked whether he’d addressed Sotutu’s future directly.

“I haven’t had a conversation with him in that regard, I just know he’s contracted to New Zealand Rugby until 2026, and, if he was fit he would have come away.”

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

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5 Comments
S
SM 29 days ago

Clearly the coach doesn't want him, if he can play for another nation it should be Fiji

M
MakeOllieMathisAnAB 30 days ago

So he’s been playing with injury, that would explain the lack of domination at NPC level and still getting picked for the XV.

L
LW 30 days ago

He's been playing on it? Genuine chance given the poor attitude he's shown in the past that he just doesn't want to go. Hope that's not the case for the sake of his career. Many wouldn't leave it in the hands of the med staff if they are actually managing it currently and with an off season coming up.

B
Bruiser 30 days ago

Vaii 6, Wallace 8, Ardie 7 would start to get me excited.

C
CR 29 days ago

Vaii at 7 will get you 3 losses in a row, Eng, Ire, France. Just my opinion

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Hellhound 24 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

I mean overall talent, not that they will all play 20 years. That is impossible with rugby. The younger players like Elrigh is of course not world class yet. With more experience they will become world class. They are already exceptional players. Not even Eben and the current boys was world class when they started. They were exceptional yes, but not world class. Only experience brings that.


Generational players is very few and far inbetween who is world class from the off. The younger players can only become world class with the proper training and experience isn't something that can be bought. It's something they have to earn through their careers.


As for SRP being a good competition, I disagree. It's slanted in NZ favour and always has been. It's not what it used to be. The URC is now rated as the top club competition in the world next to the top 14 outside of the CC, and I didn't make up that rankings. You feel SRP is better because of our bias towards the NH, but it simply is not.


Yes, I don't know all the young Bucs of NZ coming through, but most of those you named I've seen and they are very good players but not exceptional nor world class. Just as with SA youngsters, that is something that will come with experience and they will become world class and is definitely the future for them.


NZ and Australia don't have the player pool depth that SA have. NZ's are bigger than most, but then most of their stars came from the Island nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. If you count them, then maybe yes, they have as big a pool.


NZ will always be a top 3 team, as will SA. At least for the next 2 decades. That doesn't mean that other countries don't have some world class youngsters coming through either.


I don't claim that SA will win everything for the next 20 years. Nor that they will win the next 5 WC's. A lot depends on players, coaches, law changes and how the game keeps changing. There is too much variables. SA do have a bright future for the next 20 years , players who will hold the flag high. Same with NZ.


Nothing and no one can stop the Rivalry. I know the Irish is trying to replace the Boks with themselves as the main rivals. Everyone tunes in to watch the Boks vs AB's, all over the world. Every year. That is the most anticipated Tests by everyone every year.

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