Rugby: Locks' injuries main worry for Eden Park NPC opener

By Wynne Gray

It is almost a question of the last lock standing for both Auckland and Wellington as they sort out their sides for the opening of the NPC on Friday at Eden Park.

Auckland's top three locks - Charles Reichelmann, Leo Lafaiali'i and Jason Chandler - were injured in trial games while Wellington's Dion Waller, Inoke Afeaki and Sene Ta'ala have also been struggling to get back into action.

There was some promise for Auckland yesterday though with Reichelmann (knee) and Lafaiali'i (hamstring) both surviving a Blenheim training session where the squad has been based since their final trial victory against Canterbury.

However, the selectors were cautious about picking the locking duo until they checked on them again today and put them through another session under lights at Eden Park.

Both flanker Mark Carter and wing Iliesa Tanivula, with their hamstring woes, will have to complete fitness tests tonight to be considered for the start of the NPC. A definite non-starter is wing Rico Gear who has a much more severe hamstring problem.

Both Waller and Afeaki were still sore yesterday while Ta'ala is fit after a shoulder fracture but uncertain whether he will be required as a lock or blindside flanker for this game.

Wellington will not have their hoped-for night training session at home today and will have to wait until they arrive in Auckland tomorrow.

Team medical staff believe the injured Waller, Afeaki and halfback Jason Spice will all make the Eden Park game on Friday.

Fellow forwards Jerry Collins and Lome Fa'atau also received blows during a tough training but appeared to recover.