All Black Colin Slade has fallen victim to a groin injury, the same complaint that forced the player he replaced as starting five-eighth, Dan Carter, out of the Rugby World Cup.
Slade lasted just over half an hour of New Zealand’s 33-10 quarter-final defeat of Argentina in Auckland on Sunday night before limping off.
Aaron Cruden, called into the squad after Carter’s exit, came off the bench to take over from Slade and went on to produce a confident performance.
Coach Graham Henry told a post-match news conference that he was still awaiting a report on the seriousness of the Slade’s injury.
Another to finish in the casualty ward was fullback Mils Muliaina, whose 100th Test appearance was marred by what Henry described as “a pretty serious shoulder injury”.
He said Muliaina, who was substituted at halftime for Isaia Toeava, “might be in a bit of trouble”.
Injuries aside, Henry was pleased with the composure of his players against the Pumas, who showed plenty of resilience in preventing their line from being crossed until 14 minutes from time.
“It was a tough old game of football and I thought both sides played particularly well,” Henry said.
“I was just pleased with the composure of our fellas. They were under a lot of pressure at times and kept their heads.”
Henry said the 22-year-old Cruden, who was making just his seventh Test appearance and his first in 13 months, did well for young player who hadn’t had a lot game time at the top level.
“If you had asked him a week or so ago whether he would be playing in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, he would have laughed at you,” he said.
“He enjoyed the occasion and he had good support from the guys around him.”
NZN rlo/gjw
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