6 - 73

7 - 54

39 - 33

56 - 19

U20

17 - 73

U20

35 - 28

U20

49 - 11

U20

14 - 5

U20

34 - 27

U20

Wednesday

18:00

International

George Bower joins All Blacks squad as star prop requires surgery

By Henry Lee

4 hours ago

George Bower. (Photo by John Cowpland/Photosport)

The All Blacks have today announced that Crusaders prop and 22-Test All Black George Bower will join the squad for the Lipovitan-D series against France, which starts this weekend in Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Bower is included in the 33-man squad after a surgeon ruled Tamaiti Williams out of the three-match series, as he needs surgery on a torn meniscus following the Super Rugby Pacific final a couple of weeks ago against the Chiefs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by All Blacks (@allblacks)

Williams made eight starts for the All Blacks in 2024 and had an impressive season for the Crusaders in their title-winning run in 2025.

Williams’ surgery doesn’t rule him out for the rest of the International season but will have to be re-evaluated before the Rugby Championship squad is named.

Fixture

Internationals

New Zealand

15:05

5 Jul 25

France

All Stats and Data

Bower will likely have a huge part to play in this series, with the All Blacks also missing Ofa Tu’ungafasi who plays both sides of the scrum, as well as uncapped Chiefs prop Ollie Norris being named in the 33-man squad.

Bower’s last Test for the All Blacks was in November 2022, against England in London.

The news also comes after last week Wallace Sititi was also ruled out of the series against France with an ankle injury, bringing Dalton Papali’i in as cover, moving Christian Lio-Willie to a full squad member.

The All Blacks take on France at 7:05 pm NZT on Saturday at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, followed by Tests at Wellington’s Sky Stadium and Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato to complete the three-match series.

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

The players set to light up the World Rugby U20 Championship

Some of the world's best young players will converge on Northern Italy seeking to lift the U20 World Championship trophy

LONG READ

'Mind games, verbal volleys, loaded barbs, anger, aggression. All are key ingredients in Lions vs Wallabies Test series.'

If rugby union doesn't reach all parts of Australia, the Lions' visits rarely offer less than compelling theatre.

LONG READ

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

For a small nation, New Zealand have punched well above their weight for over 100 years but can they retain their dominance for much longer?

Comments on RugbyPass

Blackmania 15 minutes ago

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reveals who the fastest player in New Zealand is

It's good to hear that Leroy Carter is on Razor's radar. He could have been part of this first squad — maybe he’ll make it into the Rugby Championship if the current wingers don’t perform well enough.

2 Go to comments

Blackmania 20 minutes ago

Former All Blacks name their starting XV's for first Test against France

Tamaiti Williams won’t be there. Sidelined with a meniscus injury, he’ll be out for about two months.

De Groot / Taylor / Lomax

S. Barrett / Vaa’i

No surprises there.

In the back row, who will start — Lio-Willie or Kirifi?

I’m ruling out Jacobson, who’s recovering after a head knock.

At 10, I’m leaning more towards DMK than Beauden to partner Roigard.

That leaves the trickiest selection... centres and wings.

Will Jordie be thrown in straight away? Will Rieko, who we’ve seen training on the wing, wear the number 11 shirt? And will Proctor start the international season at 13? Probably yes to all three questions.

2 Go to comments

SteveD 1 hour ago

Springboks player ratings vs Barbarians | Qatar Airways Cup

But you guys still continue to miss my main point. He's radically changed his style! I identified his problem a long time ago, and that was his long and angular runup (along with the silly Jonny Wilkinson arm movements plus taking way too long). With his short and quick run up he's removed all that nonsense and I fully expect him to be the ace (sorry) kicker we all want him to be. And maybe even Wonderboy, who seems to have a problem from what should be the easier side of the field for a right-footed kicker, might not miss so many (two in one game on Saturday) like he did.

27 Go to comments

GH 1 hour ago

'It's disrespectful': Former All Blacks shocked by France's travelling squad

Marshall’s and Wilson’s comments have some values on the national audience but they completely fail with the international one. This kind of comments would be useful outside new zealand, adressed to the french national league that organizes the top 14 (14 teams, come on, really !?!) and says who can or can’t go to exotic summer camps. any major top 14 player plays half more games than any equivalent major all black, so the league stops adding more and it is for the exclusive benefit of clubs. No southern team will ever ever ever receive a full national french team in june. or july. or august. Even less in late july or august when the clubs start again their training.

This has been explained over and over, year after year, with south-african readers, australians, new-zealanders, argentinians so why is this trolls’ bait article published once again now?

6 Go to comments

frandinand 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

I did suggest you see a therapist because you're quite obviously suffering mental health issues.

This incoherent comment just illustrates the issues you are suffering from.

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Why take your head out of the sand to ruin rugby in NZ?

Do you realise most nations have the same selection policies?

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Well the Rugby championship isn’t slanted in anyone’s favor. What’s the record there?

159 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Can the All Blacks regain their aura and maintain their winning legacy?

Haha you got triggered bad. “IN YOUR HEAD" EH! Just let it go fraudulant Jacko! It will just continue to trigger your episodes. Even NB would advise you to let it go and we know you worship his feet. Maybe put a different poster on your wall. Your “friend” is over the Mounga photo you have up above your bed.

159 Go to comments

GP 2 hours ago

George Bower joins All Blacks squad as star prop requires surgery

Real shame about Tamaiti Williams . He has been one of the AB’s best in recent year and had a tremendous season for the Crusaders. George Bower , who has been brought in, should have been named in the original squad, ahead of Norris. He too was fantastic for the Crusaders. Like team mate Christian Lio-Willie, who also has been elevated. Both should have been automatic selections. Just a shame the two players injured are Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams.

1 Go to comments

AT 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Because his blood is Tongan/Sāmoan do the math mate. ABs don't need him.

28 Go to comments

Sam T 2 hours ago

'It's disrespectful': Former All Blacks shocked by France's travelling squad

Hmmmm they should actually watch some of the Top14 games featuring many of the players selected in the squad, particularly in the backs.

They are skilful and they are rapid. I hope that Razor banking on power players in the midfield doesn’t backfire. I’ve yet to see many well constructed tries scored by the All Blacks backs when spreading the ball the full width of the pitch.

6 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Haha.. Or ones that get run around in by some.

28 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

'Four good 10s': Robertson weighs in on All Blacks first fives and Mo'unga situation

Tonga and Samoa had 39 NZ born and bred players in their combined squads at last WC. Happens a lot actually.

28 Go to comments

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson reveals who the fastest player in New Zealand is

Speed is such a difficult thing to put a value on. In most team sports, speed over the first 20-25 mtrs is all you need to make a break or get past an opponent it rarely does a fast 100m speed benifit much. There is always that once tho…