Ruben Love to miss rest of 2026 season after ankle surgery

All Blacks first-five Ruben Love will miss the rest of the 2026 season after it was confirmed he requires surgery on an ankle injury. The 25-year-old will be unavailable for the two Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia and the end-of-year tour of Europe.

Love sustained an ankle ligament injury during the Greatest Rivalry tour in South Africa. He had been managing the injury throughout the season, including during the Hurricanes' Super Rugby Pacific title-winning campaign.

Coach Dave Rennie noted that Love had been struggling with the injury while in Africa. Rennie said, “He can probably run at 70%, but that’s not great for him, not great for us”.

The specialist No 10 options for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup squad are Richie Mo’unga and Josh Jacomb. Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett are also included in the 34-man squad to provide cover.

How it developed

• Mon 5 Oct, 10:46amThe injury was identified specifically as an ankle ligament injury sustained in South Africa.

Where reports differ

• Reports differ on which end-of-year matches Love will miss, with some citing a November tour of Europe and others citing Nations Championship tests against Scotland, Wales, and England
• One report states Love injured his ankle while training with the Hurricanes in February, while another states the injury was sustained in South Africa

Compiled from reports by The Post, Stuff, NZ Herald and 1News.