All Blacks’ pair to miss Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga - Rugby News
All Blacks player’s Kieran Read and Adam Thomson are feared to miss the Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga because of various injuries. The duo sustained an ankle and elbow injuries respectively against the Wallabies during the Tri-Nations decider on August
27. The All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, confirmed the injuries on August 28 and said he is at least hopeful to retain Kieran Read for his side for the inaugural game of RWC 2011 on September 9 against Tonga.
The All Blacks received a stunning defeat at the hands of the hosts Wallabies in Brisbane and handed over the Tri Nations title to Australia. The Wallabies have secured their first Tri-Nations title in the last ten years. Read was forced to leave the ground
in the first-half after a severe blow to his ankle. The other injured player, Thomson, was also called off the field due to an injury to his elbow.
The players will now be required to have a scan to assess their availability for the first game of the global showpiece to be played on New Zealand soil. The pair has great importance for the All Blacks as they are determined to win the RWC in front of their
home crowd.
Talking to the reporters about the latest causalities to his squad, Henry said that it will be a great disappointment for him if the pair misses anything in RWC 2011. The iconic coach also said that Kieran Reads’ injury looks minor at the moment. He added
that, “We're pretty positive really about Kieran. The doctor (Deb Robinson) thinks he'll be able to play in the World Cup. It may be a slow start for him but really I'm only speculating. I'm hopeful.”
Richie McCaw was worried about Read and said it will be great loss for the All Blacks if he is fails to overcome the injury. He added that, “Kieran's a big loss. He's a h**l of a good player when he's fit and running around. That's the challenge you get
in rugby isn't it? When guys get injured.”
Meanwhile, All Blacks coach is not hopeful about the recovery of Adam Thomson before RWC.
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