Injuries force Foran out of World Cup

Kieran Foran has been officially ruled out of playing for the Kiwis at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby League was informed yesterday that the star five-eighth won’t be able to play at the tournament, as he needs time to recover from back and quad injuries he carried through his NRL season at the Warriors.

Kiwis coach David Kidwell met Foran recently and was kept up to date about his injury issues.

It means Te Maire Martin from the Cowboys is now likely to partner Shaun Johnson in the halves for the tournament, although the other strong option is to go with Thomas Leuluai and rely on others like Issac Luke of Danny Levi to look after the hooker position.

Kodi Nikorima is also another option in the halves, but Foran’s withdrawal won’t result in a return to the black and white Jersey for Benji Marshall.

The news that Foran wouldn’t be available to play in the tournament, which New Zealand will cohost, came out at the weekend with the 27-year-old saying he had little chance of being available.

‘‘I tore my quad during the season,’’ Foran told The Sunday Telegraph.

‘‘My back’s been pretty stuffed too. I’m busted.

‘‘I saw the Canterbury medical staff last week and we’re getting scans to work out the best treatment and best way forward.

‘‘Medically I can’t play in the World Cup.

‘‘I played under-strength for much of the year at the Warriors and I just wasn’t strong enough for NRL football. I’ve got to get my body right. I really need a big offseason.’’

Now that it is official, the Kiwis selectors have to finalise other options just 31 days before they they play their first game against Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium.

The panel of Tawera Nikau, Tony Iro, Hugh Mcgahan and Kidwell will name their 24-man squad for the tournament next week.