Squire adds to All Blacks’ injury woes
ALL Blacks flanker Liam Squire has broken a thumb and is expected to be out of rugby for at least six weeks.
The rugged Highlander joins fellow All Blacks loose forwards Kieran Read (broken thumb) and Jerome Kaino (knee) on the sideline, no doubt causing coach Steve Hansen’s heart rate to climb a few notches ahead of the looming British and Irish Lions tour.
Squire broke the thumb on his right hand in the 10th minute of the Highlanders’ remarkable 45-41 win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein yesterday morning (NZT).
Highlanders coach Tony Brown couldn’t be sure how he did it, but suspected it happened in a similar fashion to Read – while attempting to make a tackle.
Squire had the thumb strapped and played on for another 10 minutes, before he was substituted for Gareth Evans.
‘‘Liam Squire has broken a thumb so he will be on the plane home,’’ Brown said.
‘‘Obviously it’s looking like six weeks for a broken thumb.’’
Brown said losing Squire would be a ‘‘massive loss’’ for his team, but he also spared a thought for Hansen as an injury bug continues to knock over All Blacks at an alarming rate.
‘‘With Kieran Read out, he was probably next cab off the rank. But hopefully both Kieran and Jerome can get back in time for the Lions,’’ Brown said.
Squire’s blow comes less than a week after Read also broke his thumb against the Cheetahs on South African soil.
The All Blacks captain promptly had surgery on it, before flying back to New Zealand a few days later.
He was also given a six-week prognosis, meaning he could be back playing rugby two weeks before the first test match, in Auckland on June 24.
Squire’s return will be more touch and go, but Hansen can at least breathe easy knowing both Squire and Read will be able to participate in some forms of training while they recover.
Kaino, on the other hand, is coming back from minor knee surgery and is the biggest concern in the loose forwards department.
While Hansen should get Squire back in time, Brown will have to get by without him until after the June-July series against the Lions.
To make matters worse, replacement Evans took a blow to his shoulder within minutes of taking the paddock.
He finished the match, but Brown said he was scheduled to GETTY IMAGES have it scanned after feeling discomfort after the final whistle.
The Highlanders, who stormed home with three tries in the final five minutes to stun the Cheetahs, play the Bulls in Pretoria next Sunday (NZT).