NMS in race to be fit for All Blacks
Hurricanes star Nehe MilnerSkudder is in danger of missing the All Blacks’ series against the British and Irish Lions as he struggles to overcome a foot injury.
Milner-Skudder has played little rugby since bursting onto the scene in 2015, when he was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year after playing a starring role in New Zealand’s World Cup triumph.
Having been sidelined for much of last season due to a shoulder injury, Milner-Skudder fractured his foot against the Chiefs last month and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said complications with his recovery will leave him with little time to push his claims for national selection.
‘‘It’s one of those ones that he’s worked incredibly hard to keep fit and strong and healthy in other ways, but he’s got a wound that’s not helping him at the moment,’’ Boyd told Newstalk ZB before last night’s match against the Blues in I don’t think he would have played an awful amount of rugby before they pick the All Blacks to play the British and Irish Lions. Chris Boyd Auckland. ‘‘I don’t think he would have played an awful amount of rugby before they pick the All Blacks to play the British and Irish Lions. Whether that’s the preparation that the All Blacks want for that, it depends what sort of back three they’re looking for and who else is fit, because there have been a couple of dings in that space.
‘‘I think [Milner-Skudder] will be available, but he won’t have played a whole lot of rugby.’’
Milner-Skudder was initially ruled out for six weeks and Boyd was unsure if he would be available for the round 11 match against the Stormers on May 5.
The 26-year-old is one of several All Black outside backs to battle injury this season.
Isarel Dagg and Waisake Naholo are currently sidelined with knee and hamstring issues respectively, while Ben Smith was forced to miss two games for the Highlanders due to concussion.