Muliaina in injury scare

A torn bicep for Mils Muliaina has thrown another injury scare into the All Blacks, as well as his Waikato team.

Muliaina suffered the injury in training yesterday and is now in serious doubt for the Air New Zealand Cup semifinal against Otago on Saturday night.

Waikato coach Warren Gatland has had players suffer the same injury when he was coaching in the northern hemisphere, and all they can do is really play on through the pain.

Gatland says some of those players were out for a week or not at all, as they just played with a little bit of discomfort.

Waikato is already preparing for a semifinal without Muliaina, with Gatland pointing out that other players have done a fantastic job this year when Waikato has not had its All Blacks available.

First five Stephen Donald is rated as 50-50 for the semifinal after suffering a knock to a knee last weekend.

As for Otago, they are dealing with a short week, a few injuries, and two big travel days head of the semifinal.

The players only arrived back in Dunedin late on Monday and are back in the plane flying north on Friday, so their only training for the week will be tomorrow.

Coach Steve Martin says the team is taking it all in its stride, and is doing the best it can, given the circumstances.

Outside backs Karne Hesketh and Alipate Fatafehi are out with injury this week, but Otago hopes to have Glen Horton and Greg Zampach back to make a straight swap.

Martin has called in three wingers from Otago B and the provincial Colts to train with the team as cover if required.

Otago will name its side tomorrow.

- NEWSTALK ZB