Isaia Toeava set to make comeback for Auckland after injury - Rugby News
All Blacks’ Isaia Toeava is set to make his comeback into the Auckland after the absence of three months from the game.
He was ruled out of 2011 Super Rugby season after sustaining a hip injury and has finally recovered from the devastating blow. The star played his last match of Super Rugby championship on April 29 and lost the rest of the season because of the serious nature
of the injury. The flanker has been officially asked by New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to participate in the ongoing provincial championship so that his fitness can be assessed for Rugby World Cup 2011. Isaia Toeava plays for Auckland in the ITM Cup and is
expected to mark his hit out on July 31 against Taranaki.
Toeava has been playing for Auckland since 2005 and has participated in 25 domestic games so far. The wing started off his Super Rugby season with the Hurricanes in 2006 and made a shift towards the Blues in 2007. Toeava has remained highly successful with
the Blues and scored 71 points in 50 outgoings for the derby.
He started his International rugby career in 2005 but has not remained consistent with his fitness and performance with the All Blacks.
However, he has got a wonderful chance to impress the All Blacks’ selectors to make his place in his national side for the largest event of the year. Talking to reporters, the Auckland coach, Mark Anscombe, asked the All Blacks officials to expect an average
performance from the injured centre.
He further said that, “I think we have to be patient with what we expect from him. I think it's been 14 weeks and he's looking for a game. It's a long time out to expect him to come back and carve up. Hopefully he can get through 40 minuets and that will
be good for him.
The coach praised Toeava and said that he was an impressive player for the All Blacks when injury ruled him out from the game. He added that, “He was outstanding, most probably the best back in New Zealand at the time he got injured.”
Toeava is expected to play half of the ITM Cup game against Taranaki on July 31 because of fitness issues.
Tags: