All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu is out of rugby for at least four months after rupturing a chest muscle in the All Blacks Test against South Africa on the weekend.

Mealamu left the field late in the All Blacks’ Test loss in Durban and All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said he underwent an MRI scan in Auckland yesterday which had confirmed he had ruptured his pectoralis major tendon on the left side of his chest.

"It’s incredibly disappointing for Keven but he is in a positive frame of mind and will undergo surgery on Friday," Dr Robinson said.

Robinson said surgery was usually recommended for complete tears of the pectoralis major tendon. She said Mealamu would be out of rugby for a minimum of four months, ruling him out of the remainder of the Tri Nations as well as the All Blacks end of year tour.

Meanwhile, a number of All Blacks who have returned from South Africa will be available for selection for their Air New Zealand Cup provincial teams this weekend and the following weekend.

Players available for selection, if required, this weekend are Luke McAlister (who has been named on the bench for North Harbour’s match against Tasman on Friday night), Aled de Malmanche and Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Bryn Evans (Hawke’s Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington), John Afoa (Auckland) and Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty).

Players available for selection in round three, if required, include the above players as well as Kieran Read (Canterbury), Jason Eaton (Taranaki) and Piri Weepu, Neemia Tialata and Rodney So’oialo (Wellington).

The All Blacks will come together for a one-day training camp in Auckland next Wednesday August 12 before assembling in Sydney on Sunday August 16 to prepare for the Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at ANZ Stadium on Saturday August 22.

365

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook
LATEST FEATURES
Khoza must withdraw iafrica.com's Khaya Ndubane wonders if the Safa Presidency succession war is worth it.
Phelps eyes road to London The World Championships has motivated Michael Phelps as he eyes the long to London in 2012.
A special collection... We go back into the archives to find a Bok team that compares with John Smit's Class of 2009.