MacDonald ruled out of Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks fullback Leon MacDonald has been ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup rugby Test against Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

The reason for veteran MacDonald's omission was not immediately available and an announcement on his replacement was not expected until Thursday.

MacDonald missed last weekend's 19-34 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney because of knee and elbow injuries.

The Cantabrian was named in the starting team on Tuesday, pushing Mils Muliaina to the wing and Anthony Tuitavake out of the team.

The selectors may restore that combination or could consider naming Rudi Wulf on the wing.

awsome, i really respect Macdonald, and he is a great tactical thinker which is something i dont want against the wallabies.

I wonder if they will bring in Scott "reliable one game, crap the next" Hamilton.

I can't see who else could cover at full back as the other squad members "Tuitavake / Muliaina/Sivivatu have all been given starts in previous games but never held it for the next game in there 2008 international series".

Then again with Richie in the forwards and Carter in the back they probably cover for two positions each. As shown in the past 2 matches Carter can't cover for all 15.