Rugby: Selection upside to Kahui injury

Richard Kahui. Photo / Christine Cornege

Richard Kahui's injury exit from the All Blacks has reduced one of the selectors' challenges for the end of year tour.

The 25-year-old's enforced absence because of shoulder surgery has eliminated him from a congested group of midfield players the All Black panel will have to filter next month.

An arthroscopic examination of Kahui's damaged right shoulder revealed he had suffered a partial tear to his rotator cuff (tendons that help stabilise the shoulder) as well as minor cartilage damage.

He has had surgery to repair his injuries and while he will recover for the start of the Super Rugby series, Kahui will not be available for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to Europe.

"It's a real blow for Richard who had been recovering well from the earlier injury, but it's in his best interests to get the shoulder fixed now," said All Black doctor Deb Robinson.

Kahui has played just 11 tests in three years as he has battled injury and had surgery to both shoulders.

This season he fractured his right shoulder socket in the All Blacks' first test against the Springboks and re-injured the area playing for Waikato against Harbour earlier this month.

Midfield is perhaps the area most clogged with contenders for the five-test tour to Hong Kong and Europe starting late next month.

Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are the incumbent test midfield pairing with heat coming from others like Rene Ranger, Robbie Fruean, Benson Stanley, Ben Smith, Luke McAlister and Sonny Bill Williams to join them on the trip.

Waikato five-eighths Stephen Donald returned from the reserves bench last night after a long injury spell, Ryan Crotty has played soundly but is dinged for Canterbury while Isaia Toeava is expected back on for Auckland in a few weeks.

It is a log jam of talent, one the selectors might not have envisaged when Tamati Ellison and Anthony Tuitavake opted for offshore contracts this season rather than push for the All Blacks and a World Cup place.

Organisers of that tournament yesterday announced kickoff times for the seventh global event with the All Blacks playing an afternoon pool game against Canada in Wellington while their other pool matches against Tonga, Japan and France start at 8pm or 8.30pm.

Ten of the 40 tournament pool matches have afternoon kickoffs, 17 are early or mid-evening while 13 are scheduled for 8pm or later.

"If New Zealand is to make the most of the platform RWC 2011 gives us to showcase our country to the world, then we need to ensure we maximise the global television audience for key matches," said tournament chief executive Martin Snedden.

Two quarter-finals have 6pm kickoffs, the other two start at 8.30pm as does the playoff for third and fourth. Both Eden Park semifinals and the final will kick off at 9pm.

"The mix of times should really contribute to the festival atmosphere of the tournament," Snedden said.

The opening ceremony at Eden Park on September 9 will begin about 7.45pm followed by the opening test between New Zealand and Tonga at 8.30pm.

CUP TIMES
Final: 9pm
Semifinals: 9pm
Quarter-finals: 6pm (2), 8.30pm (2)