Danny
16-02-2005, 08:09 AM
Doug Howlett is out with a hamstring strain and will miss the first super 12 game. Spencer's foot problems have flared throughout the week.
Howlett out, Spencer in doubt for Super 12 start
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
RUGBY HEAVEN
All Blacks wing Doug Howlett will be missing from the Blues' start to the Super 12 rugby campaign and there are also doubts about the fitness of playmaker Carlos Spencer.
Neither will play in Friday's final trial match at Whangarei against the Waratahs and Howlett's hamstring problems will remove him from the opening match a week later against the Highlanders.
A further scan on Spencer's foot problem, which has flared this week, will determine whether he fronts for that match in Dunedin.
"We are reasonably confident but at this stage of the year we want to be very professional about how we deal with Spencer," coach Peter Sloane said.
Persistent pain sent Spencer for initial x-rays yesterday and he was replaced by Tasesa Lavea for Friday's trial match.
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Other injury absentees will be prop Tony Woodcock, midfielder Ben Atiga and flanker Jerome Kaino with a variety of leg ailments.
Sloane said his squad was far better prepared after their first hitout last week against the Hurricanes.
"We got away to a bad start with a couple of defensive lapses and lack of concentration and we need to build on that and work on our new systems," he said.
"This game is our last before the start of the competition so we need to improve and work through our combinations.
"But we got some of our newer guys into work last week and that is important in this competition."
Howlett out, Spencer in doubt for Super 12 start
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
RUGBY HEAVEN
All Blacks wing Doug Howlett will be missing from the Blues' start to the Super 12 rugby campaign and there are also doubts about the fitness of playmaker Carlos Spencer.
Neither will play in Friday's final trial match at Whangarei against the Waratahs and Howlett's hamstring problems will remove him from the opening match a week later against the Highlanders.
A further scan on Spencer's foot problem, which has flared this week, will determine whether he fronts for that match in Dunedin.
"We are reasonably confident but at this stage of the year we want to be very professional about how we deal with Spencer," coach Peter Sloane said.
Persistent pain sent Spencer for initial x-rays yesterday and he was replaced by Tasesa Lavea for Friday's trial match.
advertisement - story continues below
Other injury absentees will be prop Tony Woodcock, midfielder Ben Atiga and flanker Jerome Kaino with a variety of leg ailments.
Sloane said his squad was far better prepared after their first hitout last week against the Hurricanes.
"We got away to a bad start with a couple of defensive lapses and lack of concentration and we need to build on that and work on our new systems," he said.
"This game is our last before the start of the competition so we need to improve and work through our combinations.
"But we got some of our newer guys into work last week and that is important in this competition."