Milner-Skudder fit for RWC final: Hansen

Nehe Milner-Skudder will be fit for the Rugby World Cup final, leaving prop Wyatt Crockett as the only All Blacks injury doubt.

The All Blacks look like they'll take a fully fit team into the Rugby World Cup final.

Coach Steve Hansen played down any injury concern surrounding Nehe Milner-Skudder, who was replaced in the 50th minute of the 20-18 semi-final win over South Africa at Twickenham.

The right winger fell awkwardly and appeared to injure his leg when he tripped in a collision with opposite Bryan Habana as the pair chased a kick.

However, Hansen said the substitution was a tactical one, with Beauden Barrett injected at fullback and Ben Smith shifted to the wing.

"Nehe is OK. We just didn't want to risk leaving a guy out there who was probably not 100 (per cent), but he's fine," Hansen said.

"Bringing Beauden (Barrett) on is something we do regularly anyway, it gives us the opportunity to have two guys driving the team at first receiver. We expect to have everyone available next week."

There were no other apparent injury concerns, leaving the only question mark surrounding whether prop Wyatt Crockett can recover from a groin injury to contest the decider at Twickenham on Saturday.

Crockett was replaced for the semi-final by Joe Moody in a dramatic promotion for the Canterbury loosehead, who wasn't initially selected for the tournament.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world