Injured All Blacks Tuipulotu, Lienert-Brown to miss 2nd Rugby Championship test in Argentina

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Injuries to lock Patrick Tuipulotu and center Anton Lienert-Brown will force changes to New Zealand's lineup for the second Rugby Championship test against Argentina at Buenos Aires.

Both players started on the bench in the first test in Cordoba, where the All Blacks won 41-24.

Tuipulotu made an impact when he entered the test in the second half but Lienert-Brown ended the match in the sin-bin after a clash of heads.

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said Tuipulotu had a head injury and was taken to a hospital after the match. His involvement in the remainder of the Rugby Championship is in doubt.

Lienert-Brown also sustained a head knock when he collided with Argentina center Santiago Chocobares.

Robertson said Tuipulotu had been unfortunate in a tough run with injuries.

“His value on and off the field is a great presence, he makes great decisions, his lineout calling is invaluable,” Robertson said. "We’ve got (replacement) options. We’ve got Josh Lord here, Samipeni (Finau) can play No. 6 and cover lock. We’ve got the depth.”

Quinn Tupaea and Timoci Tavatavanawai provide cover at center in the All Blacks squad.

Robertson confirmed backrower Wallace Sititi and prop Tamaiti Williams will be available for the second test after recovering from injuries.

“The load on Tamaiti and the running meters for Wallace have been really critical," he said. "Obviously they’ve got managed minutes and aren’t going to go 80. I mean they could, but that’s not optimal when they first come back. But they’re fit and healthy.”

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

New Zealand's All Blacks coach Scott Robertson watches players warm up before a rugby championship match against Argentina's Los Pumas at Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba, Argentina, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)

New Zealand's All Blacks players celebrate their rugby championship victory over Argentina's Los Pumas, at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba, Argentina, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)