Bridge out for up to six months
AUCKLAND: The All Blacks have been dealt another big blow as they prepare for the second Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park on Sunday — George Bridge’s season is probably over following a freak training injury.
Bridge started on the left wing in the draw with the Wallabies in Wellington last week, playing all 88 minutes and setting up halfback Aaron Smith’s secondhalf try.
It is understood Bridge suffered a serious pectoral injury while weighttraining in the gym this week, and he is now expected to be out for up to six months.
It is understood utility back Will Jordan was supposed to be released, along with wing Sevu Reece and prop Tyrel Lomax, to join Tasman for their Mitre 10 Cup match against Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday.
In the wake of Bridge’s injury, Jordan has instead been held back in camp.
Bridge’s injury may pave the way for Blues wing Caleb Clarke to be elevated to the starting team.
Clarke (21) impressed in his test debut off the bench last week with several powerful carries pressing his case for further game time.
With Bridge out, the All Blacks will be forced to reshuffle their back three.
All Black coach Ian Foster may start with Beauden Barrett at fullback, brother Jordie on the right wing and Clarke on the left unless he and fellow selectors Grant Fox and John Plumtree opt to shift underfire Rieko Ioane from centre to the edge where he has started 25 of his 30 tests.
Veteran lock Sam Whitelock is a doubtful starter after suffering postmatch headaches which could mean Scott Barrett being thrown straight in for his first match in three months following toe surgery.
Richie Mo’unga is also nursing a bruised shoulder and Beauden Barrett continues to contend with a niggly Achilles issue that forced him to pull out two days before the opening Bledisloe Cup test last week, Damian McKenzie taking his place at the back.
Otago playmaker Josh Ioane was called into camp earlier this week as injury cover but has since been released, indicating Mo’unga and Barrett have proved their fitness.
Otago hooker Liam Coltman and Wellington midfielder Peter UmagaJensen also trained with the All Blacks but have been released to play for their provincial sides this weekend.
Argentina’s preparations for the Rugby Championship hit another speed bump yesterday after two of their players based in Britain were withdrawn from the squad due to ‘‘documentation problems’’.
The Argentine Rugby Union said on Twitter that first fiveeighth Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, who joined Leicester Tigers last month, and Glasgow Warriors prop Enrique Pieretto would not be joining the squad in Australia.
The duo have been replaced by Lyonbased prop Francisco Gomez Kodela and Valence centre Lucas Mensa, who will travel to Australia next week along with 11 other Europebased players.
The majority of the Pumas squad have been in a biosecure facility in Sydney for almost 10 days preparing for the tournament, which starts on October 31.
THERE will be plenty of talent on display in Invercargill tomorrow. Not much of it, though, will be at its peak.
The Pack the Park match will involve plenty of former All Blacks and former Southland players in what is being organised as a thank you to the OtagoSouthland community.
Southland dairy farmer Blair Vining died last year from cancer. His legacy was to help his fellow southerners in trying to combat the issues he faced with cancer.
The community had raised more than $1 million in under a year for a Southland charity hospital which will assist those who face the same issues Blair Vining did over lack of access for treatment and other health issues.
The game to be played tomorrow at Rugby Park Stadium is a tribute to the community which has given so much to the cause.
It will start at 4.05pm before the Mitre 10 Cup match between Southland and Taranaki. The match will be between a Blair Vining XV and an invitational XV and already the main stand — the capacity is reduced because of safety issues — has sold out.
Admission to the rest of the park is free and a big crowd is expected.
The Blair Vining XV has a solidlooking front row with former All Blacks Wyatt Crockett and Andrew Hore combining.
Ali Williams will lock the scrum while Jason Rutledge, who has played for Southland at firstclass level this year, will turn out on the blindside flank.
Jimmy Cowan will link with Carlos Spencer in the inside backs while Tony Brown is out on
the left wing. Pita Alatini and Callum Bruce will team up in the midfield.
The team will be coached by World Cupwinning coach Graham Henry.
The invitational team will have former All Black Kees Meeuws in the front row alongside former Southland hooker Davin Heaps. Troy Flavell and John Blaikie will lock the scrum. Paul Miller, Hale TPole and Kelvin Middleton make up a lively loose forward trio.
Andy Ellis will start at first fiveeighth and former Waikato captain Dwayne Sweeney will be in the midfield.
The side will be coached by former All Black Simon Culhane, assisted by former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
A charity dinner and auction will follow tomorrow night.
The game will be televised on Sky Sport.