Update: 10:40AM Waisake Naholo’s twisting tale could be about to take another turn.
Just when the All Blacks thought their Fijian flier was back, another setback has struck.
Naholo took a knock to his right leg, the same one he fractured against Argentina in July, in the first half of the All Blacks scrappy 43-10 win over Georgia and limped from the field with what he described post-match as cramp after a mixed 53-minute return.
Naholo was on light duties as the All Blacks trained in drizzly conditions at Mowden Park in Darlington on Monday (Tuesday NZ time) but assistant coach Ian Foster was hopeful the Highlanders finisher would recover from his leg bruising and be available for the All Blacks final pool match against Tonga.
“I don’t think so,” Foster said when asked if the injury would preclude him this week.
“We were pretty precautionary today. We’ll assess him Wednesday morning and make our decision then.
Whatever the case, Naholo’s limited participation in training clouds the picture in the hotly-contested battle for wing spots. The All Blacks didn’t leave Charles Piutau out of their World Cup squad and bring Naholo halfway around the world for one pool game. They are, therefore, understandably keen to give him another chance to lift his game before the quarterfinals.
“We would like to see Waisake with a bit more game time. It’s pretty hard to assess his last game,” Foster said.
“He started off with a hiss and a roar and did something pretty spectacular which we know he can do. Then he looked a little bit rusty around the park in some of his roles. That comes when you’re out for so long and just come back.
Nehe Milner-Skudder is pushing for a return on the right wing after an impressive performance which included two tries against Namibia.
Likewise, Julian Savea showcased his power with a hat-trick against Georgia last week, edging closer to where the All Blacks expect him to be on the left wing.
Three doesn’t go into two, though. One of that trio will miss out this week.
The theory with Savea is he gets better with each game. It would surprise to see him rested against Tonga, leaving a choice between Milner-Skudder and Naholo, who it seems has the inside running if fit.
“Nehe wants to be out there, so does Julian,” Foster said. “Nehe has done very well and we’d love to get him back on the park pretty quick to make sure he stays in the groove and Waisake needs a bit of game time too. Julian is certainly responding to game time.”
Naholo wasn’t the only player on ice at training. Sonny Bill Williams (head and flu) and Charlie Faumuina (hamstring) were confined to the sideline.
“We’ll asses those guys in the next 24 hours before we make final decisions on whether we’ve got a full group or whether we put some guys on ice,” Foster said.
“Overall, we’re in a pretty good place.”
Ma’a Nonu, ruled out with a shoulder injury last week, was back in action and looks set to start in his 100th test milestone. Owen Franks is also expected to return at tight head prop.
Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Liam Messam, who sat out the first three pool matches with a calf complaint, all appeared to run freely.
With Dan Carter expected to be retained at first five-eighth, Barrett is favoured to secure the bench role.
