Rugby: Tasman lose Franks for season

Tasman prop Ben Franks has been ruled out for the rest of the Air NZ Cup with a foot injury. Photo / Getty Images

In-form prop Ben Franks has been ruled out for the rest of the Air NZ Cup rugby season with injury, dealing a cruel blow to Tasman's semifinal hopes.

The Crusaders front-rower has suffered a recurrence of the stress fracture in his foot which kept him out of most of this year's Super 14.

The latest damage came during last Friday's 28-26 loss to Hawke's Bay, after which he travelled to Christchurch for an assessment.

Franks has been at the heart of an impressive Tasman scrum and the injury won't help his chance of selection for New Zealand's season-ending tour.

In his absence, Franks' younger brother Owen has emerged this year to be the All Blacks' first-choice tighthead prop.

Meanwhile, another injury at Tasman sees centre Kade Poki sidelined with a hamstring problem, for probably the next 2-3 games.

- NZPA WGT dg