All Blacks face injury concerns
The All Blacks are almost certain to be without three of their first choice players for the one-off Test against Ireland next week, assistant coach Wayne Smith said.
Fullback Mils Muliaina, centre Richard Kahui and lock Tom Donnelly have been struggling to recover from injury in time for the June 12 Test in New Plymouth.
“I wouldn’t pick any of them personally,” Smith told reporters at the All Blacks’ training camp in Auckland.
All three were named in the 26-man squad named on Sunday but uncertainty over their fitness saw outside backs Ben Smith and Rene Ranger and lock Sam Whitelock joining the squad as cover.
Their likely exclusion means fullback Cory Jane, inside centre Benson Stanley and lock Anthony Boric are likely to take their place in the starting lineup.
Smith said Muliaina’s calf injury was progressing but he needs to play some club rugby before returning to the All Blacks. He strained his calf in his first match back after a two-month absence with a broken thumb.
Donnelly, who has not played since early March when he injured an ankle, is also expected to play in the club ranks before returning to the Test scene.
Kahui is the closest to full fitness but is still not doing any contact work in training, Smith said.
[SAPA-AFP]
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