Training injury sends All Blacks hooker home, replacement en route

All Blacks hooker George Bell has been ruled out of the team's upcoming tour of South Africa, having suffered a training injury. A spokesperson said Bell will return home from the squad's camp in Cape Town after suffering a calf strain during training. The Crusaders and Canterbury foward is expected to be out of play for the next four to six weeks. Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater has been called up to replace Bell, and will arrive in South Africa on Wednesday. "We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early," All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said. “He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again. We look forward to seeing him return via the NPC and put himself in a position to push for All Blacks selection later in the year." The All Blacks will take to the field for their first game of the tour against the Stormers on Saturday morning (NZT).