All Blacks Star Jacobson Out Of Rugby World Cup With Concussion
13th September 2019
The defending champions, who are chasing a third straight trophy in Japan, called up rookie Shannon Frizell to replace Jacobson in the loose forwards
- The All Blacks' World Cup campaign suffered its first setback Friday when rising star Luke Jacobson was ruled out of the tournament due to a delayed bout of concussion
- Coach Steve Hansen said the 22-year-old flanker showed no sign of concussion after New Zealand's 92-7 win over Tonga in Auckland last weekend but developed symptoms during the team's first training session in Japan
- Jacobson has played only two Tests but impressed enormously for both New Zealand and Waikato Chiefs, with some pundits even tipping him as a future All Blacks' captain
TOKYO, Japan- The
All Blacks' World Cup campaign suffered its first setback Friday when rising
star Luke Jacobson was ruled out of the tournament due to a delayed bout of
concussion.
The defending champions, who are chasing a third straight
trophy in Japan, called up rookie Shannon Frizell to replace Jacobson in the
loose forwards.
Coach Steve Hansen said the 22-year-old flanker showed no
sign of concussion after New Zealand's 92-7 win over Tonga in Auckland last
weekend but developed symptoms during the team's first training session in
Japan.
"We have a duty of care to look after our players and
Luke's health is the most important thing above anything else," Hansen
said.
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"Luke's a young man with a hugely promising career
ahead of him and I'm sure he'll get the chance to play at other Rugby World
Cups in the future."
Jacobson has played only two Tests but impressed enormously
for both New Zealand and Waikato Chiefs, with some pundits even tipping him as
a future All Blacks' captain.
"I'm gutted to be missing the Rugby World Cup," he
said.
"However, I completely understand that this decision
has been made with my health and best interests at heart."
Frizell, 25, is also a novice at international level, with
five Test caps, the most recent a draw against South Africa in Wellington in
July.
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Hansen said two other potential replacements, Vaea Fifita
and Dalton Papalii, were not considered for selection because they were
currently injured.
The All Blacks arrived in Japan this week ahead of their
first game against South Africa on September 21.
They will also play pool matches against Italy, Canada
and Namibia in their quest for a fourth World Cup after victories in 1987, 2011
and 2015.