Latest news with #GeorgeBower
RNZ News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Patience pays off for recalled All Black George Bower
George Bower. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ It's been three years since George Bower last played for the All Blacks and he concedes there were times he thought he may never make it back to the national side. The prop initially missed out on selection in the All Blacks squad to play France, but was called in after his Crusaders teammate Tamaiti Williams was ruled out of the three match series with injury. Bower is on the bench for Saturday's third and final test in Hamilton and is likely to get on the field for his 23rd test. "I'm very excited. It's my first time in 2025 pulling on the black jersey, but also my first time in a long time," Bower said. "My last test was in 2022 against England over there. It's been three years of grind and hard work to get back into the team. I'm super grateful to be back here and hopefully getting an opportunity on Saturday." George Bower last played for the All Blacks in 2022. Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Bower describes himself as an optimist, but he concedes he had the odd negative thought about his prospects of earning an All Blacks recall. "Every now and then, like everyone else, it does creep in," Bower said. "Every time you're in this environment, you're never certain when you're going to wear the jersey again. So I cherish that (being in the All Blacks) a lot more now. I'm definitely going to cherish that moment if I do get that opportunity to play. "Those moments (of doubt) did creep in, but it was important just to keep ticking away, to keep having faith and trust in my skills and strengths." Bower did entertain going offshore, but said his desire to play for the All Blacks again kept him in Aotearoa. "There was always a focus for me to try and get back into the squad," he said. "There was opportunities where I could've gone overseas, but there was a stronger pull here in New Zealand to stay home and contribute what I can here in New Zealand rugby." Bower's next ambition is to be named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. The annual four-nation tournament kicks off on 17 August, with New Zealand's opening match in Argentina. "That is another goal, to get named in that next squad. First things first I've got to put on that jersey and do what I can to help the team perform. Then the rest will take care of itself." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CNA
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
All Blacks prop Williams ruled out of France series
All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the test series against France with a knee injury, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Monday. Williams pulled up sore after helping the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby championship-decider, and scans later revealed a torn meniscus. NZR said surgery would be required. George Bower has been brought into the squad to replace Williams ahead of the series-opener against the French in Dunedin on Saturday.
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
All Blacks prop Williams ruled out of France series
June 30 (Reuters) - All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the test series against France with a knee injury, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Monday. Williams pulled up sore after helping the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby championship-decider, and scans later revealed a torn meniscus. NZR said surgery would be required. George Bower has been brought into the squad to replace Williams ahead of the series-opener against the French in Dunedin on Saturday.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
All Blacks lose injured prop Williams for France series
New Zealand prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of their France series with a knee injury (Miguel MEDINA) New Zealand prop Tamaiti Williams was on Monday ruled out of the three-Test series against France with a knee injury that will require surgery. It is the second setback for the All Blacks in a matter of days, with rising back-row star Wallace Sititi also sidelined and needing an operation for an ankle issue. Advertisement Williams sustained a torn meniscus during the recent Super Rugby final, where his team Canterbury Crusaders beat Waikato Chiefs. "Scans have revealed the tear," New Zealand Rugby said. "Assessment by a surgeon this morning has confirmed surgery will be required." George Bower has been brought into the squad to replace him. New Zealand face France in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton, with the first Test on July 5. mp/dh
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks' Tamaiti Williams ruled out after meniscus tear injury
Tamaiti Williams during the All Blacks captains run, Eden Park. Photo: Lynne Cameron/ActionPress All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the three tests against France as he will require surgery for a torn meniscus. Williams, who plays for the champion Crusaders, pulled up with a painful knee following the Super Rugby final and scans revealed the tear. Assessment by a surgeon on Monday morning confirmed surgery would be required. Williams is the second All Blacks forward to miss the series, which begins on Saturday in Dunedin, through injury. Loose forward Wallace Sititi has been ruled out with an ankle injury and replaced by Christian Lio-Willie. Coach Scott Robertson has called George Bower into the squad to replace Williams. Twenty-two test cap All Black Bower has not played for New Zealand since late 2022, leading many to speculate that he would make a switch of national allegiance to Fiji. However, in April Bower extended his stay in New Zealand rugby signing on until 2027. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
