All Blacks: Injury crisis eases a little

Sitiveni Sivivatu will join the All Blacks squad next week. Photo / Getty Imahes

The All Blacks' rugby injury crisis actually brightened today under grey clouds at training in Wellington.

Firstly, nobody went down ahead of the second test against France on Saturday, much to the relief of coach Graham Henry.

Then news filtered out that several of the big names currently missing for the June tests are making quality progress in their rehabilitation battles and that some are ahead of schedule.

Most notably, game-breaking winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is to join the squad this week to be monitored by medical staff.

A specialist deemed Chiefs flyer Sivivatu needn't undergo surgery on his injured shoulder, which would have sidelined him for the rest of the year.

"The reports we're getting from his trainers in Hamilton is positive," Henry said.

"We're hoping he's going to be fit and available to play Tri-Nations."

Joining him in the Tri-Nations squad should be key loose forwards Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo, with the latter resting his tired frame through June while also shaking off a chronic neck injury.

Henry is to meet So'oialo this week to ensure he is on track for a Tri-Nations return.

Captain McCaw is forging ahead in his battle with a knee injury.

"He's not meant to run but it's pretty hard to hold him back," Henry said of McCaw.

"He's done quite a bit of work in the pool, some aqua jogging to take the weight off it. He's ahead of where he should be at this stage."

Up to 12 players are unavailable this week, with the injury ledger balanced since an under-strength All Blacks lost the first test 27-22 at Dunedin.

Hooker Andrew Hore (rib cartilage) and Adam Thomson (hand) were injured in that game and are unavailable but centre Conrad Smith (hamstring) and flanker Jerome Kaino (knee) have returned to fitness and been named to start on Saturday.

Hore may be fit to face Italy in Christchurch next week, along with lock Ali Williams (Achilles) and halfback Brendon Leonard (hamstring).

Henry said Leonard was "very close" while Williams is making good progress but "we could blow him apart if we try and push him too quickly".

- NZPA