All Blacks’ Sitiveni Sivivatu is expect to recover in time for 2011 Rugby World Cup
Hamilton based Super Rugby Franchise Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is expected to be available to be part of Graham Henry’s All Blacks squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC).
Sivivatu had injured his shoulder in his squad’s last match of the 2011 Super Rugby Championships against the Reds on Saturday, June 18 at Waikato Stadium.
Chiefs’ team physiotherapist, Paul Cameron, has announced that the injury sustained by the player was not of the serious nature and he would have ample time to recover before the RWC. Cameron’s statement was released on the club’s official website on Tuesday,
June 21.
The incident occurred in the 25th minute of the game and forced Sitiveni Sivivatu to leave the field. Tim Nanai-Williams was force to send in a replacement for the winger and the Reds eventually won 19 – 11.
After Saturday’s game, detailed tests were conducted on the Sivivatu shoulder to fully diagnose the injury. Commenting on the results of the test, Cameron said, “It is not as bad as we first thought, He subluxed his left shoulder on Saturday night so it
was not fully dislocated.”
Cameron further added that the injury had not done too much damage and the winger would recover in few weeks time. Commenting on the recovery time, Cameron further added, “He's very unlikely to be out for any more than a couple of weeks .” Chiefs will not
be competing further in the super xv matches and that will allow Sivivatu to go through rehabilitation without any risk.
Cameron also stated that the star winger will also consult a orthopedic surgeon. He said, “He has full range of movement and good strength in the affected shoulder and he is going to see an orthopedic surgeon because it is the shoulder that was operated
on last year.”
Fijian born winger Sivivatu missed most part of last season due to his previous shoulder injury. However, his recent form in the later phases of the Super Rugby game has forced Graham Henry to give him a place in the All Blacks squad.
The reports are that Sivivatu will make the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Tri Nations series and 2011 RWC going to be announced on July 10.
The 29-year-old Sivivatu made his debut for the Chiefs against the Highlanders in 2003. In the last eight season of his career, Sivivatu has made 87 appearances for the Chiefs and scored 205 points. He also plays for Waikato in the Air New Zealand cup.
Sivivatu made his international debut for All Blacks against Fiji in 2005. He has made 43 international appearances for All Blacks and scored 135 points.
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