29 October 2010

All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is to miss the All Blacks Telecom Backing Black Tour to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland after a scan confirmed the extent of his new knee injury.

The 43-Test winger made a return to rugby last week following a five-month break from the game after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Sivivatu managed some game time in the All Blacks inter-squad training match last Saturday, before the squad departed for Hong Kong to prepare for the DHL Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia, and was due to play for Waikato in this weekend’s ITM Cup semifinal match against Auckland, but had been troubled by a sore left knee, which had taken a knock in the training match.

Speaking from Hong Kong, All Blacks doctor, Dr Deb Robinson, said: “Siti had a scan in Hamilton on Friday which revealed that a bony fragment had come loose in his left knee. He will see an orthopaedic surgeon over the weekend and may require an arthroscopy.”

Dr Robinson said it was not yet known how long Sivivatu would be out of rugby, but he would not recover in time to tour with the All Blacks.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “It’s hugely disappointing for Siti to suffer another injury straight after recovering from his shoulder surgery. The whole All Blacks squad feels for him and we wish him all the best as he recovers from his latest setback.”

Henry said at this stage, a replacement player wouldn’t be called into the All Blacks, with wingers Josevata Rokocoko, Cory Jane and Hosea Gear in the squad as well as Isaia Toeava also available to provide cover.