Waldrom to miss opener

Taranaki will be without the services of Scott Waldrom for the start of the ITM Cup national rugby championship after the former All Black flanker underwent surgery to reattach a tendon to his thumb.

Waldrom suffered the injury playing for the New Zealand Barbarians against the New Zealand Maori three weeks ago and is likely to miss Taranaki's round one match against Northland on July 29 and Tasman the following week.