Rugby: Toeava joins All Blacks casualty list

Isaia Toeava needs surgery. Photo / Greg Bowker

Isaia Toeava has joined the growing list of All Black casualties with a slim chance he could recover for the end-of-year tour.

The utility back said he would have surgery this week to remove a bone spur from his hip which has troubled him throughout the Super 14 series.

"It is jamming up against a nerve and it's pretty painful," Toeava said. "I've seen the surgeon and I'm hoping they will operate on me shortly.

"I've had cortisone, but the pain keeps coming back. They say it will take about four to six months to heal, and while it's pretty disappointing, it's best I get it fixed now."

Toeava's absence creates extra All Black selection dramas in midfield, where Ma'a Nonu has been sidelined for the June test series, and perhaps beyond, because of a knee-ligament injury.

Toeava has been a special project for the All Black panel since his shock selection in 2005. He has gained more consistency in recent years but missed a large chunk of last season because of a stress fracture.

The 24-year-old was in strong form this year for the Blues despite the hip problem which inhibited his later contributions. He now joins Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mike Delany as long-term injury absentees.

Others such as Mils Muliaina and Tom Donnolly are due to return soon from lengthy recuperations, with questions about whether they will be judged fit enough for the 26-strong All Black squad to be announced on Sunday.

Settling on a utility back to replace Toeava will be as demanding a search as choosing a second five-eighths to start the tests in place of Nonu.

Anthony Tuitavake has had surgery for a pelvic injury and, like Tamati Ellison and Tim Bateman, is heading for rugby in Japan, while Luke McAlister has scarcely played this season.

The utility selection wheel spins as far as Colin Slade's name. He was called into the All Blacks training camp last year before the Tri-Nations series.

The 22-year-old has played at fullback, wing and five-eighths for the Crusaders, is a strong defender, kicks with either foot and shows a keen all-round rugby nous.