Injury concerns easing for ABs
Dane Coles, the most worrying of the All Blacks’ walking wounded, in on the mend in his ongoing struggle with concussion issues.
Quite what it means in terms of what lies beyond Friday’s first-up hitout against Samoa, and principally those three test matches against the British and Irish Lions, is anybody’s guess. But when it comes to Coles, you take your good news where you can get it.
The sight of the best hooker in world rugby wandering around inside Trusts Stadium in west Auckland yesterday with a cup of coffee in his hand, while his All Blacks team-mates were out doing the hard yards on the adjacent training paddock, indicated there is still some time to pass yet before he is ready to test the noggin in the heat of one of those battles.
But soon after the second major training run of the week, assistant coach Ian Foster offered the most positive update we’ve had for a while on the Hurricanes hooker who has been beset by issues since his last game of Super Rugby in March.
Knee and calf problems initially kept the brilliant 49-test No 2 out of action, and then it was revealed, as his absence grew from weeks to months, that a mystery – and worrying – concussion issue (causing exerciseinduced headaches) had become the No 1 concern.
But Foster, amongst a generally upbeat update on the injured bodies, was able to offer a ray of hope around Coles.
‘‘People are trending upwards, and we’re excited about that,’’ he said.
‘‘All the information we have on the injured group is pretty positive now, and by the end of the week we’ll have a good handle on who’s ready to go either Friday or next week.’’
On Coles specifically, Foster added: ‘‘He’s not participating in any contact work within the team, and is still working with the doc and physio and doing his own thing. Once the medicos have given the all-clear . . . but they’re delighted with his progress.’’
Foster was then asked if it was ‘‘same old, same old’’ with their hazy hooker?
‘‘The fact I used the word ‘delighted’ means we’re delighted with progress, so I wouldn’t say it is the same old.’’
Throw in Aaron Cruden (knee) doing straight-line running and on track for a full return next week, and Ryan Crotty continuing to make good progress with his ribs, and there’s a lot more positivity around injuries than there’s been for a while in the national camp.
Of course, that can all change in a heartbeat, and the looming presence of those hard-hitting Samoans on Friday, for the second half of a Pasifika double-header on Eden Park, does rather heighten the prospect of a further ding or two.
That’s a risk the All Blacks are more than prepared to take in a week that contains a tantalising balance of the present (Samoa) and future (Lions).
‘‘I know everyone is talking about the big battle around the corner, but our mentality is the best way to prepare for a battle is to have a battle,’’ Foster said.
‘‘The fact we’re playing Samoa at Eden Park, and there is a big Samoan community here, means it’s going to be a significant game.
‘‘Last time we played them they pushed us to the wire in Apia. Rest assured this will be a full-on battle and we think that’s the best way to prepare for anything.’’
Foster wouldn’t say whether the team to be named in the early hours of Thursday would be a shadow test side, give or take an exception or two (skipper Kieran Read will sit this one out; and Rieko Ioane is being loaned to the Maori on Saturday), but said it was ‘‘a chance to give some a hitout who need one and also build some combinations’’.
Most interest will be on who leads the side (probably Ben Smith, but Sam Whitelock has appeal), who gets the nod at halfback (Aaron Smith has possibly done enough) and how they work through their loose forward shortage (Ardie Savea at No 8, anybody?).
‘‘It’s chaotic, it’s busy, it’s a loaded week,’’ Foster said of the always challenging resumption.
‘‘There’s lots to do and there’s a test match on Friday. We’re trying not to put too much in front of them right now, but there’s a balance needed so everyone knows how we’re going to play.’’