Gatland aware of ABs injuries
MISSING IN ACTION
The mounting tally of injured All Blacks is not going unnoticed by Warren Gatland.
Less than a month from the British and Irish Lions departure for their tour of New Zealand, a number of prominent figures in Steve Hansen’s side have been relegated to the sidelines.
Captain and No 8 Kieran Read is out with a broken thumb, vastly experienced flanker Jerome Kaino has had to have knee surgery, fullback Ben Smith has a ankle issue and a concussion worry has surfaced for Dane Coles in addition to the calf injury he was already recovering from.
Not surprisingly, the Kiwi head coach of the Lions had been keeping a close eye on the situation.
‘‘They [Read and Coles injuries] are quite significant I think, Ben Smith as well,’’ he told Sky Sports in the UK.
‘‘With Kieran Read, they are saying he’s going to be back in time but he won’t have had a lot of rugby under his belt potentially before the first test.
‘‘Coles seems to have quite a niggling injury that’s been going on for a while. It’s one of those injuries that is hard to get confidence from and you have to be careful about not coming back too early, so that will be a bit of a concern for them.’’
The series of injuries comes at a time where Gatland’s own squad are making positive strides in that regard.
Skipper Sam Warburton, who damaged knee ligaments last month, Welsh team-mate and veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones and Irish halfback Conor Murray (both shoulder) were all tracking in the right direction.
Gatland’s assessment of all three was a boost to the prospects of the Lions, who play 10-matches on the tour and face the All Blacks in the first of three tests in Auckland on June 24.
‘‘I spoke to Sam yesterday and he feels he could play now,’’ Gatland said to Sky Sports.
‘‘He’s made some really good progress and is really happy with how he’s responded to treatment. I expect him to play before he goes to New Zealand.
‘‘Alun Wyn Jones is making good progress as well. He’s confident that he’s going to be okay as well. It looks like the Ospreys are going to be involved in the semifinals of the Pro12 and that would give him an opportunity to get some rugby under his belt.
‘The prognosis with Conor Murray looks positive in terms of hopefully getting a game for Munster [before the tour]. It’ll be good for him over the next few weeks if he can get a game.’’