All Blacks hit by further injuries at World Cup
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NEW Zealand's chances of ending an extended World Cup drought could hinge on two players who were more focussed on skate boarding and fishing than rugby in recent weeks before being dragged into the All Blacks squad as the third and fourth choice flyhalves.
The All Blacks' 33-10 win over Argentina, which earned a semifinal against arch-rival Australia, had a grim sequel when flyhalf Colin Slade and fullback Mils Muliaina were ruled out, deepening an injury crisis that began when they lost star playmaker Dan Carter. Muliaina fractured his left shoulder and Slade tore a groin muscle, forcing New Zealand to test against its vaunted resource of quality players.
Flyhalf Stephen Donald and winger Hosea Gear had both accepted the end of their international careers when they missed selection in the initial World Cup squad, but have now been called back to test duty.
Donald, who will join the English club Bath in November, has played 22 tests but has struggled to reach the standard that test rugby demands of a flyhalf and is already associated with one of New Zealand's most galling losses to Australia.
New Zealand's game unraveled when he came on as a replacement for Carter in a Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong in October last year. The All Blacks surrendered an early lead and went on to lose 24-26, their only loss of that season.
The loss of Carter and Slade leaves Aaron Cruden, who missed initial World Cup selection and has played only seven tests, as New Zealand's new first-choice flyhalf.
Coach Graham Henry said Donald had been out fishing when he got the call up. It was only a week ago that Cruden was called up after watching the start of the tournament on TV and keeping fit by skateboarding.
"Last week (Cruden) was skateboarding around Palmerston North, having a couple of beers and watching us play - now he's the No. 1 10 in the country," Henry said. "So it's a big change, obviously. And a major challenge for him."
The All Blacks' 33-10 win over Argentina, which earned a semifinal against arch-rival Australia, had a grim sequel when flyhalf Colin Slade and fullback Mils Muliaina were ruled out, deepening an injury crisis that began when they lost star playmaker Dan Carter. Muliaina fractured his left shoulder and Slade tore a groin muscle, forcing New Zealand to test against its vaunted resource of quality players.
Flyhalf Stephen Donald and winger Hosea Gear had both accepted the end of their international careers when they missed selection in the initial World Cup squad, but have now been called back to test duty.
Donald, who will join the English club Bath in November, has played 22 tests but has struggled to reach the standard that test rugby demands of a flyhalf and is already associated with one of New Zealand's most galling losses to Australia.
New Zealand's game unraveled when he came on as a replacement for Carter in a Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong in October last year. The All Blacks surrendered an early lead and went on to lose 24-26, their only loss of that season.
The loss of Carter and Slade leaves Aaron Cruden, who missed initial World Cup selection and has played only seven tests, as New Zealand's new first-choice flyhalf.
Coach Graham Henry said Donald had been out fishing when he got the call up. It was only a week ago that Cruden was called up after watching the start of the tournament on TV and keeping fit by skateboarding.
"Last week (Cruden) was skateboarding around Palmerston North, having a couple of beers and watching us play - now he's the No. 1 10 in the country," Henry said. "So it's a big change, obviously. And a major challenge for him."
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