Mike Ross to miss the first test – Rugby News Update
Mike Ross, the 32-year-old Leinster and Ireland prop is battling against time to be fit for the first test against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday, June 9.
"Mike Ross is rehabbing from his hamstring tear, it is going well but he hasn't trained fully and remains in some doubt ahead of the weekend," Ireland team manager Mike Kearney said.
After the match at Eden Park, the teams play a match at Christchurch on June 16, and the tour finishes with the match at Hamilton on June 23. New Zealand has not played at the Eden Park since they won the World Cup there in 2011. Ireland needs to have all
their players ready for the crucial first test-match, which will set the tone for the other two games.
Ross suffered a hamstring tear in the RaboDirect PRO12 league final against the Ospreys, and only lasted 16 minutes for Leinster in that game. Ireland also has injury concerns for Cian O'Healy and Sean O'Brien, but they are expected to be fit in time.
Kearney said, "Cian trained fully today and is good to go. Sean O'Brien is continuing to rehabilitate well and he accelerated his rehab this morning. We are hopeful that he will be available for selection at the weekend."
Lee Kiss, the Ireland coach, is expecting a tough battle like always against New Zealand. The All Blacks are unbeaten since 1994 at Eden Park, and it will be a gruelling match.
Kiss said, "From the squad they picked it is going to be a fantastic series. We're playing the world champions, the best in the world bar none."
He also added, "We expect them to throw everything at us.”
Kiss will want all his charges to be fully fit before the match, and Ross, who had a great season with Leinster, winning the Heineken Cup, is key for Ireland. He made his debut against Canada at Vancouver, on May 23, 2009, having previously played for Ireland
‘A’. Ross is the cornerstone of Ireland’s scrum, and their improvement in recent years can be attributed to the quality the prop brings to the squad.
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