INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks lose key players

All Black coach Steve Hansen has revealed veteran prop Owen Franks is to undergo surgery that will end his season later this week. Franks has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem that has seen him miss the last two tests against the Wallabies.

UPDATE: Owen Franks is to undergo surgery on his Achilles this week and will be out of rugby for the rest of the year. 2/3

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 4, 2017

Wing Waisake Naholo has also been ruled out of Saturday’s test against Argentina after suffering a concussion playing for Taranaki on the weekend.

Hansen also confirmed today that Sam Cane, Ryan Crotty and Wyatt Crockett are fit to return to the field after concussion-related injuries.

Midfielder Crotty and openside Cane both left the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin last weekend with head knocks, failing HIA tests and being replaced in the first half.

Auckland flanker Blake Gibson has been called into the All Black squad as injury cover.