Flynn blow for Kiwis
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:05
Blacked out: New Zealand hooker Corey Flynn
All Black hooker Corey Flynn has suffered a fractured left forearm and will miss New Zealand's remaining two tour matches of their year-end tour - against Wales and England.
Flynn sustained his injury during a largely second-string New Zealand side's last-gasp 18-16 win over Irish province Munster, the Heineken Cup champions, on Tuesday at Limerick's Thomond Park, but didn't realise then what he had done and played on.
"Corey complained of soreness yesterday [Wednesday] and an X-ray in Cardiff confirmed that he has suffered a fracture to his left forearm," New Zealand doctor Deb Robinson said in a statement Thursday.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said that in Flynn's absence, Hikawera Elliot would move to the bench to provide cover for starting hooker Keven Mealamu against Wales this weekend.
New Zealand, whose tour concludes with an international against England at Twickenham on November 29, said they would make a decision on whether to summon a replacement hooker after the Wales Test.
Meanwhile, Tony Woodcock has been confirmed to start against Wales at loosehead prop.
Woodcock was sent to the sin-bin and later cited for throwing a punch during the All Blacks' 22-3 victory over Ireland at Croke Park last Saturday.
But an International Rugby Board hearing on Wednesday ruled no further punishment of the front row forward was necessary.
A decision on the other propping position and the bench cover will be made in due course, with Neemia Tialata recovering from a viral infection.
New Zealand, who earlier this month beat Scotland 32-6 at Murrayfield, are half-way to completing a grand slam of wins over all the four Home Nations on the one tour.
Saturday's match at the Millennium Stadium will be the first at the Cardiff venue for both the All Blacks and former Wales coach Henry since last year's World Cup quarterfinal defeat there by France.
New Zealand haven't lost to Wales since a 13-8 defeat in 1953 in Cardiff, a run that spans 19 Tests.
New Zealand - revised: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata/ John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 TBC, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England) , Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* Can the Welsh stop the Kiwi march? This is the right place for that debate
