The injury-plagued Keith Robinson, whose career has been interrupted by serious back and knee ailments, will miss the opening tie of the Rugby World Cup against Italy. The team will now have to risk one or both of first-choice second rowers, Chris Jack and Ali Williams, while the versatile veteran Reuben Thorne may also move into contention.
Coach Graham Henry said:
He is getting the best treatment available and has a very positive attitude. We’re hoping he will be ready in a couple of weeks.
Robinson has been restricted to 10 tests since his debut in 2002. Back problems which resulted in three operations kept him out of the game for two long years and aroused speculations that his career is on the brink. However, he finally made a successful comeback to the test arena in 2006.
With frequent injuries in-between, Robinson suffered latest calf twinge at the All Blacks pre-World Cup training camp. The World Cup rules allow an injured player to be replaced at any stage of the tournament, but once they have been invalided out they cannot return.
If Robinson cannot shake off his injury, All Blacks have a readymade replacement in the form of Troy Flavell, who was cut from the World Cup squad since playing the Tri-Nation series.
Via: BBC
