Another broken nose for Rogers

[papa]

Gee that was ugly. How much do recos cost? Surely he'll wait till he's done playing footy before he bothers to get another one.

[Danny]

Tim Fairbrother shoulder injury

Conrad Smith concussion

Shannon Paku elbow injury

Isaac Boss rib cartilage

All hoping to be fit for the Semi against the Crusaders

Fairbrother the most doubtful, Smith has had one set of tests already but is required to sit more before he is cleared to play.

Casey Laulala (Crusaders) is also in doubt, he is struggling to overcome a hammy strain and is a doubtful starter

Prop a problem for ailing Hurricanes

By Jim Kayes
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Rugby Heaven

Steadying the ship: skipper Tana Umaga returns to the Hurricanes midfield after being rested last week.
Photo: Dallas Kilponen

The Hurricanes have a potential injury crisis at prop and fullback to resolve before Friday night's Super 12 semifinal against the Crusaders.

A trip back to Christchurch is required after the Bulls smashed the Stormers 75-14 in Pretoria at the weekend, ensuring they not only equalled the Hurricanes on 34 competition points, but moved ahead of them on points for and against.

It means the Hurricanes have finished fourth and play the first-placed Crusaders, while the third-placed Bulls have to travel to Sydney to play the Waratahs.

The final pecking order also means the Hurricanes will play the final in Sydney or Pretoria if they beat the Crusaders on Friday night.

History gives them no chance, the Crusaders boasting a perfect semifinals record from their six playoff appearances.

advertisement - story continues below

The Hurricanes, in stark contrast, have made the semifinals twice but lost each time to the Brumbies in 1997 and the Crusaders two years ago.

Coach Colin Cooper was upbeat about his side's chances this time, despite the Hurricanes being thumped 40-20, six tries to two, by the Crusaders on Friday night.

Skipper Tana Umaga, flanker Jerry Collins and hooker Andrew Hore were rested for that match and Cooper was confident their presence would make a difference this week.

"They are leaders and leadership is the key factor in why teams perform.

"Those three will make a difference with how they play the game they are pretty committed," Cooper said.

But their return could be offset by a potentially disruptive injury list, with tighthead prop Tim Fairbrother the major concern after he hurt his shoulder on Friday night.

Cooper will name his team on Wednesday and if Fairbrother is out, will have to go to the draft for a reserve behind Neemia Tialata and Tony Penn.

He conceded there were no tightheads "of any note" on the draft.

It will also be a big ask of Penn, who started against the Reds in the first round but did not make the playing 22 again till Joe McDonnell missed the Blues match two weeks ago with a thumb injury.

Penn did not get on in Auckland that night but played all the second half against the Crusaders on Friday night.

Cooper also has a headache at fullback, with Shannon Paku missing the Crusaders game with an elbow injury and his replacement, Isaac Boss, hurting his ribs during the match. Early season fullback Brent Ward has not played since he broke his hand against the Sharks on March 11.

Ward injured his ribs in the first minute of his comeback match for the Auckland University club last month.

Boss is also the reserve halfback and though Riki Flutey can cover halfback, he will be at fullback if Paku, Ward and Boss are not fit.

Umaga's return is good news, but he could have a different midfield partner after centre Conrad Smith received a concussion on Friday night. A pyschometric test on Smith yesterday was inconclusive and he would be tested again tomorrow, a Hurricanes spokesman said.

Smith's absence can be easily covered as Umaga could shift to centre with Tane Tu'ipulotu starting at second five-eighth, or Ma'a Nonu could shift in from the wing, with Hosea Gear moving off the bench.

Despite the injury concerns, Cooper was bullish about the Hurricanes' chances in front of what will be another full house at Jade Stadium.

"I'm pretty confident with this group. People will write us off, but that doesn't really worry us.

"This team will thrive on being written off.

"I don't think you should underestimate them.

"Tighthead prop is a concern but elsewhere we've got pretty good depth and I'm pretty sure those other injuries should be okay."

The Dominion Post, New Zealand

[Danny]

Nathan Grey and Dan Vickerman should recover from shoulder injuries, and Matt Rogers was never really in doubt after breaking his nose.