All Blacks v South Africa: Timoci Tavatavanawai ruled out of Rugby Championship

Timoci Tavatavanawai lifts the Dave Gallaher Trophy. Photo / Photosport

Timoci Tavatavanawai will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship after breaking his arm in Tasman’s NPC clash with Otago on Saturday.

The midfielder fractured his radius and faces 12 weeks on the sidelines.

New Zealand Rugby released an update of player injuries ahead of Thursday’s team naming for the Eden Park test against the Springboks.

The biggest issue remains at halfback with Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham still facing up to four weeks before returning to action while Cortez Ratima is still in doubt for Saturday’s test with Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston remaining with the squad.

Patrick Tuipulotu is also three to four weeks away, meaning a potential return in the Bledisloe Cup.

On the positive, Tyrel Lomax is back fit after a thumb injury, while Anton Lienert-Brown has also been cleared after a concussion in the opener against Argentina.

Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson will get another NPC runaround before they’re considered for test selection.

All Blacks injury updates

Timoci Tavatavanawai – Will require surgery for fractured radius. Estimated return to play: 12 weeks.

Patrick Tuipulotu – Has had surgery for a facial fracture. Estimated return to play: 4 weeks.

Cam Roigard – Stress fracture in right foot. Estimated return to play: 3-4 weeks.

Noah Hotham - Has had surgery for a high ankle sprain. Estimated return to play: 3-4 weeks.

Caleb Clarke – Available for NPC following ankle injury. Available for second South Africa test.

Luke Jacobson – Available for NPC following thigh injury. Available for second South Africa test.

George Bower, who was named in the Rugby Championship squad as injury cover for Tamaiti Williams, has not assembled for the South Africa tests following Williams’ return from injury.

All other injury cover players – Tevita Mafileo, Josh Lord, Finlay Christie, Kyle Preston and Leroy Carter – remain with the squad.

Ratima is continuing to be assessed for availability after sustaining a rib fracture during the most recent test against Argentina, while Anton Lienert-Brown (concussion) and Tyrel Lomax (hand fracture) have both recovered from injury to re-join the squad in Auckland.

Also joining the squad in Auckland as training cover for the week are lock Sam Darry and halfback Xavier Roe.