New Zealand scrumhalf Noah Hotham will miss the remaining Rugby Championship games against Australia after surgery for a broken fibula. This is another setback for the All Blacks’ halfback options.
Hotham had already been out with a high ankle sprain from the France series. On his return in the heavy 43-10 loss to South Africa last Saturday, he lasted only nine minutes before leaving the field after a collision with lock Lood de Jager.
The 22-year-old shared an X-ray on social media showing a clear break in his fibula, just above his left ankle.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed that Hotham will not play in the home test against Australia at Eden Park on September 27 or in the final match in Perth a week later. Both matches are also part of the Bledisloe Cup series between the two rivals.
His recovery timeline is still being reviewed, NZR added.
Noah Hotham is the third scrumhalf in Scott Robertson’s team to get injured, after Cam Roigard suffered a foot stress fracture and Cortez Ratima broke a rib. Robertson said on Saturday he hoped Roigard and Ratima would be fit in time for the Eden Park match. With Hotham out in Wellington, Finlay Christie played at scrumhalf, but the All Blacks went on to suffer their biggest defeat in more than 120 years of test rugby.
New Zealand now sit third in the Rugby Championship table with 10 points, just one behind leaders Australia and tied with South Africa in second place.
Who is Noah Hotham?
Noah Hotham is a young scrumhalf in the All Blacks rugby squad.
What happened to Noah Hotham?l
He suffered a leg break and has been ruled out of the upcoming Bledisloe Cup.
Which other All Blacks scrumhalves are injured?
Cam Roigard has a foot stress fracture, and Cortez Ratima has a broken rib.
Who replaced Hotham during his absence?
Finlay Christie played scrumhalf in his place against Australia in Wellington.
