adminWELLINGTON. — The All Blacks’ injury toll continued to rise on Saturday with key inside centre Ma’a Nonu taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm in their brutal 14-10 Castle Lager Rugby Championship win over the Springboks.It was a no-holds barred clash of the the sport’s two heavyweights who are bitter rivals, with the win putting the All Blacks on the cusp of claiming the southern hemisphere crown for the third consecutive year.
They need to win just one of their two remaining games, away to Argentina — who have not won a game in this competition — and South Africa to be assured of the title.
The veteran Nonu, a blockbusting number 12 playing his 94th test, suffered the injury 10 minutes from halftime but played through the pain barrier until being replaced before the start of the second half.
“We’ve got a pretty good idea of Ma’a’s prognosis,” coach Steve Hansen said.
“We think it’s probably broken. He got sore in his arm and it got worse and the doctor took a look at half-time and said ‘I don’t think you should go back’.”
Utility Ben Smith, who started on the wing and has also played tests at fullback and outside centre, covered for Nonu for the remainder of the game. — AFP.
Online Reporter