All Blacks lose hooker George Bell to calf strain on tour

The All Blacks have suffered their first injury setback of their historic tour of South Africa, with hooker George Bell ruled out for up to six weeks after sustaining a calf strain in training. The injury occurred during a session in Cape Town on Sunday, August 2, forcing the 27-year-old to return home and miss the entire eight-match tour, which concludes on September 12.

Head coach Dave Rennie expressed his disappointment, stating the team was gutted for Bell, who has endured a frustrating period with injuries in recent months. Bell had traveled as the squad's fourth-choice hooker behind Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, and Samisoni Taukeiaho. His departure has prompted a call-up for uncapped Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater, who is expected to join the 44-man squad in South Africa on Wednesday, August 5.

The timing of the injury presents a complication for squad management as the tour begins. New Zealand opens its schedule against the Stormers at Cape Town's DHL Stadium on Friday, August 7. With tour captain Codie Taylor also managing a minor calf issue and likely to be rested for that match, Slater could be in contention for immediate involvement. The tour features four...