All Blacks: Fate forces Kahui on to sidelines yet again

Richard Kahui. Photo / Getty Images

Fate has pushed the pause button once again on the All Black career of Richard Kahui.

The powerful centre has ruled himself out of the first test of the year - against Fiji in Dunedin - and faces three to four weeks on the sidelines after tweaking his hamstring.

That could see him miss New Zealand's opening Tri Nations match against South Africa in Wellington on July 30 and the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia at Eden Park a week later.

Since his debut against England in 2008, Kahui has managed just 11 caps as his body, in particular his shoulders, has rebelled.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said the aim would be for Kahui to return to rugby during the home leg of the Tri Nations.

Hosea Gear was making good progress with his hamstring strain and would hopefully be available for selection the following week.

Robinson said outside back Israel Dagg (thigh muscle), Isaia Toeava (hip) and prop Tony Woodcock (foot) were all making good progress and it was hoped they would play in the ITM Cup before becoming available for the All Blacks away leg of the Tri Nations.

If Kahui is feeling a bit sorry for himself, he can join 12 others in the squad.

The trip back from Brisbane was a sombre affair for the Crusaders, although several landed to good news.

The All Blacks first squad of the year was named while the Crusaders were airborne.

Most of the picks were predictable, though it would have been an especially nervous flight for wing Zac Guildford, who blotted an excellent season with a poor final.

"I thought I played some good rugby during the season but let myself down in the final. Personally, I'm a bit disappointed because you want to step up on those big occasions."

Guildford said he had recovered physically from the Crusaders' globe-trotting exertions, but now it was a matter of clearing a mind that keeps ticking back to Suncorp Stadium.

"We didn't play our best footy over there. It was pretty disappointing but we need to put that behind us and move on to the test arena," he said. "We had huge expectations on ourselves, just like the rest of New Zealand.

"That's life, someone's got to lose and unfortunately it was us."

Halfback Andy Ellis was another who flew home with a heavy heart and though his selection was universally predicted, it was still nice to arrive to confirmation.

"We put a lot of emphasis on the weekend and wanted to make everyone proud back in Christchurch but it wasn't to be," said Ellis.

"So touching down and hearing a few of the boys' names had been read out was a nice silver lining."

The All Blacks have gathered in Auckland for a two-day camp before next weekend's test against Fiji.

That test will be followed by a truncated Tri Nations. On the strength of the Super 15, Australia are expected to provide the toughest challenge.

Ellis witnessed at first hand the creative powers of Will Genia, whose 65m try was the difference between the Reds winning and the Crusaders' eighth Super rugby title.

"They're quality inside backs, but it's all about shutting down time and space with both of them. Will likes to run at ruck time, but if you can get up and take away that time, a lot of his game goes," Ellis said.

"The same goes for Quade [Cooper], he likes to have space to step and do his thing. Again if you get up and take away his space, a lot of his game goes."

For the moment, though, the most pressure on Ellis and Guildford is going to come from within. Both are in battles for playing time, with Ellis considered as the third-choice halfback behind Jimmy Cowan and the returning Piri Weepu.

"Jim and Piri have both got a lot of experience in the jersey so it's up to me to stake my claim," Andy Ellis said.

HALL OF PAIN

2007: Right shoulder, six months.

2008: Ankle, three weeks.

2009:
* Calf, two weeks.
* Left shoulder, six months.

2010:
* Rib cartilage, three weeks.
* Right shoulder, two months. Right shoulder, season ending surgery.

2011: Neck, a week. Hamstring, possibly three weeks.