Injury shatters World Cup dream for All Blacks utility McKenzie

WELLINGTON: Utility back Damian McKenzie was ruled out of the World Cup Monday in a blow to the All Blacks as coach Steve Hansen warned it was likely more players could miss out through injury.

McKenzie suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for the Waikato Chiefs against the Auckland Blues at the weekend and, given the ferocity of Super Rugby New Zealand derbies, Hansen said he could lose more players over the next few months.

“He could be out for eight to nine months,” Hansen said of McKenzie, who has been at home playing either fullback or flyhalf in his 23-Test career, as a squad of 41 All Blacks assembled for the first of two pre-World Cup camps. “It’s a real shame for him, his World Cup opportunity has gone.

“He’s still young enough to probably make the next two (World Cups) so it creates another opportunity for somebody else.

“We’ve got to expect injuries and there’ll be more than just him, I suggest, by the time we finally name the team to go to the World Cup.”