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
epost
Guest
That's a pretty wild conspiracy theory abnutta. Did you watch the rest of the game where Argentina contests the ball on their feet and are continually penalized? Meanwhile, the ABs, particularly McCaw, can go in from the side, put hands in the ruck, go off their feet, and it's all just A-ok? The ABs would probably have won regardless, but calls at the breakdown were completely one-sided and never allowed Argentina to get on the front foot.
abnutta
Roar Guru
Did anyone else notice at 29:55 in the 1st half when the Pumas Flanker made the break and looked to have thrown a possible forward pass that eventually led to their only try... referee Nigel Owens clearly signals advantage to NZL, then slows down, then moves the whistle to his mouth to stop play... and then DECIDES TO CHANGE HIS MIND because ARG were about to score a try. Is it any wonder that NZL hasn't won a RWC since 1987 when they have to endure that sort of refereeing ambivalence. Fair enough that Wayne Barnes didn't think the pass was forward in 2007. But what was Owens up to... he saw it.
jumpers
Guest
Weepu had an exceptional game and steered the ABs with his play. The ABs forwards got a good workout and managed to get on top of the Argies in the second half. Dagg and Kahui should be back for the semi and I would think SBW will be on the bench. Both teams took some big hits and we will have to wait on the injury updates to have an idea of selections.
katzilla
Roar Guru
And nothing of value was lost. It's obvious that Weepu is running the ship no matter where he plays. All he needs is someone outside him who will have a run, Cruden, or who is a good distributor of the ball, also Cruden. Slades confidence is shot, no point carrying on with him.