New Zealand flanker Segner sidelined for remainder of South Africa tour

The flanker's departure from the touring squad comes as a significant blow to New Zealand's midtour preparations, with Segner having been an integral part of the team's plans for the remaining matches against the Springboks.

Rennie did not elaborate on the specific circumstances of the injury, but confirmed that surgical intervention was deemed necessary to address the ankle issue. The decision to rule Segner out entirely rather than attempt a recovery during the tour underscores the severity of the setback.

Segner's absence will require the All Blacks to adjust their backrow composition for upcoming fixtures, potentially accelerating opportunities for squad depth players. The tour has presented New Zealand with a challenging assignment against one of world rugby's premier nations.

The injury compounds the touring party's injury toll, adding to the selection challenges typically faced during extended overseas tours in competitive international rugby.