Auckland greets All Black stars
Source: Agencies |
September 4, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE New Zealand All Blacks arrived to a huge welcome in Auckland yesterday ahead of their World Cup opener against Tonga as coach Graham Henry delivered the good news that injured, dynamic loose forward Kieran Read could feature in the pool stages.
No. 8 Read had been expected to be unavailable until the knockout stages of the near two-month long tournament after suffering a high ankle sprain in the loss to Australia in the Tri-Nations decider last week.
"He worked in the pool this morning and is still in the boot. So we are praying," a smiling Henry told reporters after the ceremony.
Although it is highly unlikely New Zealand will lose the World Cup opening match against Tonga, the All Blacks do have some concerns about next Friday's fixture at the refurbished Eden Park.
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson is also expected to miss the Tonga game with an elbow injury leaving Henry with only three fit loose forwards to call upon, but the 65-year-old coach was talking up his options.
"(Lock) Sam (Whitelock) has played there quite a bit and (lock) Anthony Boric has played six, that is where he started his first class rugby," Henry suggested.
Henry's joyful mood can be attributed to the huge welcome he and his side received at Aotea Square and the completion of their first training session in preparation for the September 9-October 23 tournament.
Under the shadow of the eye-catching Sky Tower in Auckland's central business district, thousands ignored the cold and wet conditions to grab a glimpse and lunge to take photos of their favorite All Blacks, who were all dressed in sharp black suits and ties.
New Zealand is looking to win its second World Cup and first since it hosted the inaugural event in 1987.
After facing Tonga, the All Blacks play Japan, France and Canada in the pool stages.
No. 8 Read had been expected to be unavailable until the knockout stages of the near two-month long tournament after suffering a high ankle sprain in the loss to Australia in the Tri-Nations decider last week.
"He worked in the pool this morning and is still in the boot. So we are praying," a smiling Henry told reporters after the ceremony.
Although it is highly unlikely New Zealand will lose the World Cup opening match against Tonga, the All Blacks do have some concerns about next Friday's fixture at the refurbished Eden Park.
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson is also expected to miss the Tonga game with an elbow injury leaving Henry with only three fit loose forwards to call upon, but the 65-year-old coach was talking up his options.
"(Lock) Sam (Whitelock) has played there quite a bit and (lock) Anthony Boric has played six, that is where he started his first class rugby," Henry suggested.
Henry's joyful mood can be attributed to the huge welcome he and his side received at Aotea Square and the completion of their first training session in preparation for the September 9-October 23 tournament.
Under the shadow of the eye-catching Sky Tower in Auckland's central business district, thousands ignored the cold and wet conditions to grab a glimpse and lunge to take photos of their favorite All Blacks, who were all dressed in sharp black suits and ties.
New Zealand is looking to win its second World Cup and first since it hosted the inaugural event in 1987.
After facing Tonga, the All Blacks play Japan, France and Canada in the pool stages.
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