Rugby: Blood flows at rugged test training

By Wynne Gray

Repositioned wing Christian Cullen will take a broken nose into Saturday's test with the Wallabies after a rugged training session yesterday at Tauranga.

Cullen was injured as he ploughed into some defenders during tackling practice, his nose bleeding steadily as a crowd of about 3000 watched the All Blacks go through their routines in preparation for their first 1999 meeting with the Wallabies.

Midfield back Daryl Gibson also pulled out of training late, but his departure was merely a precaution to protect the knee strain he suffered against the Springboks last week.

The All Black side will be picked tomorrow, with few changes expected. There will be a temptation to include Dylan Mika as blindside flanker ahead of Andrew Blowers and debate about whether to start Jonah Lomu.

While there was no suggestion yesterday that Cullen's broken nose would exclude him from the historic night test at Eden Park, if the injury worsened it could help solve the problem of getting Lomu more matchplay.

If Cullen felt his facial damage left him too tender to play, Tana Umaga could switch to the right wing with Lomu selected on his favourite left flank.

Another rigorous training tomorrow will challenge the fitness of any doubtful players before the team choice later.