The All Blacks’ 19-18 Test win over the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium has come at a cost, with midfielders Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith potentially ruled out for the rest of the Tri-Nations.
Coach Graham Henry confirmed McAlister suffered a fractured cheekbone and Smith a torn hamstring during the victory that sealed the Bledisloe Cup for another year and kept the All Blacks’ Tri-Nations hopes alive.
“The two centres are not too good and I think Conrad will take some time,” Henry said.
“I haven’t talked to the doctor about recovery time yet. There’s a few casualties in there.”
Henry said it was likely McAlister would miss the rest of the Tri-Nations, with Tests against South Africa in Hamilton on September 12 and the Wallabies in Wellington on September 19 to follow.
McAlister was dazed and bloodied by an early head clash with Wallaby Luke Burgess, then suffered the fracture with another head clash with Peter Hynes in the 50th minute.
Henry praised the fortitude of his players after five-eighth Dan Carter kicked the match-winning penalty with 90 seconds remaining before holding off a determined late charge by the hosts.
“I’m just very proud of the character shown by the players,” he said.
“The win’s the result of a lot of mental toughness. We didn’t really get the roll of the dice and we kept on coming back and fronting up.”
Australian coach Robbie Deans said young fullback James O’Connor was getting x-rays on a possible lower leg fracture as the side prepare to travel to Perth to face the Springboks next Saturday.
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