Slade, Muliaina and Jane the All Blacks casualties

Slade, Muliaina and Jane the All Blacks casualties

James Mortimer - (10/10/2011)

All Blacks first five-eighth Colin Slade and fullback Mils Muliaina are the major injury concerns after the All Blacks 33-10 over Argentina, while there is a small issue over wing Cory Jane.

Jerome Kaino, who struggled in the first half after some heavy blows, shook off any complaints and finished the match by-and-large unscathed.

There appears to be a ‘groin curse’ for the All Blacks number tens, with Slade injury the area early in the first half, and while he tried to play on, he was subbed towards the end of the opening stanza.

Muliaina suffered a shoulder injury, and according to coach Graham Henry, is the biggest concern.

“(It’s) pretty serious,” the All Blacks coach said.

“I think he might be in a little bit of trouble".

Slade’s injury will be clarified in the next 48 hours, but the positive to come out of it was that new squad member Aaron Cruden had nearly 50 minutes of test rugby in a World Cup quarter-final to hold him in good stead if required next week.

Henry praised the young Manawatu and 2012 Chiefs’ playmaker.

"He enjoyed the occasion and played very well for a guy who hasn't played for a while,” he said.

“If you asked him a few weeks ago if he was going to play in a World Cup quarterfinal he probably would have laughed at you.”

Jane should be available next week, finishing the match favouring his ankle.

But with Richard Kahui, Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford all fighting to be fit for the semi-final, there will be no lack of candidates for All Blacks outside backs.

ENDS

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