Leg puts Brown out for season

By CHRIS RATTUE

As one All Black first five-eighths makes a comeback in the NPC this weekend, another has been sidelined for the season.

Otago's Tony Brown has been ruled out for the rest of the championship, putting him out of contention for the All Blacks' end-of- year tour to England, France and Wales.

Otago coach Greg Cooper said: "It's been decided it's in Brownie's best interest that he gets his hamstring 100 per cent right once and for all.

"It's important and in everyone's interests that we don't ruin such a high-quality player ... it's a blow to Otago and New Zealand rugby, and to Brownie himself."

Otago had tomorrow's match against North Harbour at Albany targeted for Brown's return, but the hamstring was still feeling tight this week.

Brown was reported to be deeply disappointed and did not attend yesterday's Otago training.

Meanwhile, Waikato's David Hill will make his return from a groin injury from the bench against Wellington tomorrow night.

Hill's last full game was in the final round of the Super 12 and he was re-injured when he came on in the first NPC round against Southland.

He made his All Blacks debut on last year's end-of-season tour, in non-test games in Ireland and Scotland.

Waikato have lost prop David Briggs to a short-term foot injury, with Michael Collins taking his place, while coach Ian Foster has brought in Tony Philp for Deacon Manu.

Loki Crichton returns from injury to the starters but Bruce Reihana will continue as the Waikato goalkicker for now while Crichton works his way back.

Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty's leading back, Nick Collins, will see a specialist next week after a shoulder injury flared again.

Collins will not line up for the Bay against Taranaki in New Plymouth on Sunday.

But there was better news off the field for the Bay of Plenty union, who have secured a major sponsorship with Sleepyhead.

The battling first division union went into the season without major backing, although it is still looking for a naming rights sponsor.