Injury-hit All Blacks call for backup

[travelling_gerry]

Injury-hit All Blacks call for backup



28th July 2008, 8:00 WST

The injury-hit All Blacks have called three reinforcements into their squad as they prepare for the Tri-Nations rugby Test against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday.
Wellington halfback Piri Weepu and Hawke's Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot will join the camp in Auckland, with Auckland halfback Taniela Moa also to train with them from Tuesday.
A battered and beaten All Blacks returned to Auckland with several walking wounded after a 19-34 loss to Australia in Sydney last Saturday.
Both halfbacks from that defeat are under injury clouds, with Andy Ellis (ribs) and Jimmy Cowan (knee and broken nose) identified as doubtful starters by assistant coach Steve Hansen.
If one of them is ruled out, it will bring the out-of-favour Weepu back into contention from New Zealand Maori duty, with Brendon Leonard (knee) still sidelined.


more from the West here....

[Woody]

Injury-hit All Blacks call for backup



Both halfbacks from that defeat are under injury clouds, with Andy Ellis (ribs) and Jimmy Cowan (knee and broken nose) identified as doubtful starters by assistant coach Steve Hansen.

And a cut lip for Cowan

[greenandgoldrugby]

A testament to the Aussie D. Smashed 'em all night. Ellis can thank Smith and Palu for his dodgy ribs. Great hit when they cut him down before the try-line

[oxleymoron]

How can they claim Cowan's broken nose as a rugby injury? Wasn't it broken while he was out on the turps in Sydney after the game?

[lara93]

aww poor new zealand half backs...
cough cough!