Crook hookers pose a problem

Calling all hookers.

It sounds like the All Blacks are set to host open try-outs in Wellington this week, as they seek to find two No.th2s to join their squad. Nathan Harris’ season-ending knee injury and now Codie Taylor’s concussion mean Dane Coles is the only original hooker still standing.

Coles owes painkilling injections and guts for that anyway, as he continues to battle a rib-cartilage injury. Not that you’d have known, given the way he performed in New Zealand’s 42-8 win over Australia on Saturday.

Such is the severity of the situation, though, that All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster suggested a raft of rakes would be summoned to Wellington, ahead of this weekend’s clash with Australia at Westpac Stadium.

‘‘Yeah, we have [got people in mind],’’ Foster said, as the team prepared to fly out from Sydney on Sunday.

‘‘We’ve got a bit of work to do, just looking at a couple of tapes or games from over the weekend. But it’s a high chance we’ll be bringing a few people in on Monday.’’

Hika Elliot, James Parsons, Ash Dixon and Liam Coltman leap out as potential candidates. Not that Foster was taking the bait.

‘‘We’ll let you know on Monday. We’ve just got a little bit of information that we need to gather from back home. There’s been games going on - a few more games today - so we’ll make that call tonight and bring them in tomorrow.’’

It means there’s little likelihood the banged up Coles will be getting a breather.

‘‘Well, I’d like him to [start again this week],’’ said Foster.

‘‘He came through really well. Naturally I think he was a little bit sore at the end of it, but it’s a testimony to him the way he did that and what I loved about him was that he didn’t back off anything either and he’s closer to being a hundred [per cent] than probably what we thought.’’

The reinforcements are unlikely to be restricted to hooker. Wing Waisake Naholo is gone with a hamstring tear, but the real area of concern is midfield.

With George Moala already out, Ryan Crotty could join him. Details are a little scant, but it appears a head knock stopped Crotty coming out for the second half of Saturday’s win at ANZ Stadium.