Injury blow for All Blacks as Sititi ruled out of France series

Wallace Sititi has been sidelined from the upcoming three-test series against France due to a high ankle injury that now requires surgery.

The 22-year-old had only recently returned from a knee injury suffered on last year’s Northern Hemisphere tour.

Sititi’s absence has prompted head coach Scott Robertson to officially bring in Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie, who was already training with the squad as cover for Luke Jacobson.

In turn, Dalton Papali’i has been added to the squad as additional loose forward cover. The All Blacks open their series against France in Dunedin on July 5.

Update from camp 🙏🏼

Christian Lio-Willie moves into the squad for Wallace Sititi & Dalton Papali’i comes into the squad as cover for Luke Jacobson.

Wishing our mate Wallace a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/a9yM7no4AU

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 26, 2025