All Blacks Rugby

All Blacks Rugby

MacDonald out and Mauger back
29/06/2007 3:01:57 PM NZT
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Leon MacDonald is out of the All Blacks side for the Bledisloe Cup Test with Australia in Melbourne on Saturday, and out of top rugby for four weeks, due to a bad groin strain.

MacDonald suffered the injury at training on Thursday and was ruled out of the side on Friday morning.
His place has resulted in Mils Muliaina moving back to fullback from centre, while Luke McAlister moves out a place to centre allowing Aaron Mauger to come in at second five-eighths.

Sitiveni Sivivatu has been included in the reserves.

Coach Graham Henry said he felt for MacDonald as he was in the best form of his life and while there was a little bit of disruption to the All Blacks' preparations for the Test his greater concern was for the player.

Henry said other options had been considered but possible fullback replacement, first five-eighths Nick Evans hadn't played a lot at fullback recently, while wing Rico Gear had not had a lot of recent experience at centre.

Henry said McAlister had played at centre for 50 minutes against Canada a fortnight ago.

However, the main concern was the defensive aspect associated with the centre position which was a 'big area' defensively, Henry said.

It is a position with a high work rate and he was sure that McAlister's versatility would see him do his best in the circumstances.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the disruption would not be felt too much by the side which adopted the approach that it was a case of just having to get on and do the job.

"The guys around Luke will help him. It doesn't put us out too much at all," he said.

McCaw said he was looking forward to playing on the Melbourne Cricket Ground and despite the fact the crowd was well away from the playing area, it had to be remembered it was a 'footie field' just like any other.

He was expecting a physical encounter from Australia, but also more expansive play more in keeping with the traditional Bledisloe Cup encounters of modern history.