Squire in doubt for French tests
Highlanders and All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire is in doubt for the June test series against France due to a setback in his recovery from a broken thumb.
Squire, who hasn’t played since he busted it against the Crusaders in March, was slated to return against the Sharks in Durban next weekend.
But Highlanders assistant coach Mark Hammett, speaking from South Africa yesterday morning, confirmed he’s expected to miss another six weeks.
‘‘He had his cast taken off and under another scan it hadn’t quite set how it was supposed to,’’ Hammett said. ‘‘Unfortunately, it had to be reset, and that effectively reset the start date as well.’’
It’s more rotten luck for the 15-cap All Black. He also broke his thumb against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last year and was
forced to sit out six matches.
Including Sunday morning’s match against the Bulls in Pretoria, the Highlanders have six games remaining before Super Rugby breaks for the international window, meaning the rugged 27-year-old will be light on game time heading into the three-test series.
Squire attended the second ‘‘foundation day’’ for South Island All Blacks in Christchurch last Monday, and was expected to go into the 2018 international season as the starting blindside flanker. His name has also been floated at No 8 with captain Kieran Read still
out of action.
Rather than waiting until Super Rugby goes into hiatus, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will name his 32-man All Blacks squad to play France prior to the two three-day ‘‘preparation’’ camps, which will be held between May 20-22 in Auckland and May 27-29 in Christchurch.
The first test against France will be played at Eden Park on June 9, before the series heads to Wellington and Dunedin the following two weekends.
While Squire could well still feature in the series, his injury blow has been softened for the Highlanders by the emergence of flanker/lock Shannon Frizell, who scored a hat-trick against the Blues in Auckland last weekend, and the return of openside flanker James Lentjes.
Lentjes hasn’t played this year due to a shoulder injury, but has fully recovered and travelled with the team to South Africa for their two-match tour.
The 27-strong touring group is spending the week in Johannesburg and will travel north to Pretoria for the match.
Starting tighthead prop Siate Tokolahi, who limped off against the Blues, did not join the team and is expected to miss between four and six weeks with an MCL (knee) injury, Hammett said.
Counties Manukau prop Kalolo Tuiloma replaced Tokolahi in the touring side.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger will on Friday morning name his team to play the Bulls at altitude.