Bradley Slater called into All Blacks squad as George Bell returns home

All Blacks

1 hour ago

All Blacks hooker, George Bell, will return home from South Africa after suffering a calf strain during training in Cape Town on Sunday.

All Blacks Injury Update

Bell's return to play is expected to be four to six weeks, so he will return to New Zealand to rehabilitate.

Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater has been called into the squad and is due to arrive on Wednesday.

"We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early," All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie said.

He’s

had

a

frustrating

past

few

months

with

injury

so

it’s

a

real

blow

for

him

to

have

injured

his

calf

again.

We

look

forward

to

seeing

him

return

via

the

NPC

and

put

himself

in

a

position

to

push

for

All

Blacks

selection

later

in

the

year
Dave Rennie

Bradley Slater biography

Skilful 27-year-old Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater (Born 23 September 1998) comes from outstanding rugby pedigree: his father Andy is a Taranaki rugby legend and uncle Gordon played six matches for the All Blacks, including three Tests, in 1997 and 2000. Bradley made a name for himself at New Plymouth Boys’ High School as both a rugby player and a cricketer, playing for the school’s First XV and First XI. He made the New Zealand Schools team and the Chiefs side in 2019, playing more than 60 games for the Super side through to 2025, before transferring to the Blues. He continued his rise in rugby, earning selection for the All Blacks XV in 2024 and 2025.