ALL BLACKS CENTRE Conrad Smith will miss the third and final Test against England after breaking his thumb in the second Test win on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen revealed that the in-form Smith would be sidelined for at least a month after being injured in the 28-27 victory in Dunedin.
“What we thought was only a muscle injury has turned out to be a broken bone for Conrad Smith in his thumb, so he won’t be considered for Saturday unfortunately,” Hansen told reporters.
So it’s bad luck for him and an opportunity for someone else.”
Smith was at his sublime best against England on Saturday, once again demonstrating his rounded skill set and intelligence.
Hansen said he was looking at either Ryan Crotty or Malakai Fekitoa to replace Smith in the third Test in Hamilton. Crotty played the last of his five Tests against Ireland in November, while Fekitoa made his international debut off the bench in the first Test against England on June 7.
New Zealand have already won the series with wins in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, England and the Crusaders have named their teams for their friendly match in Christchurch tomorrow [KO 8.00am Irish time]. Of particular interest to Munster fans will be Tyler Bleyendaal at out-half for the Crusaders.
The 24-year-old will join the Irish province later this year, although the early suggestion is that he will play in the centre rather than his more natural position in the 10 jersey.
England: Alex Goode; Ben Foden, Henry Trinder, Brad Barritt, Anthony Watson; Danny Cipriani, Lee Dickson; Alex Waller, Joe Gray, Henry Thomas; Ed Slater (capt.), Dave Attwood; James Haskell, Matt Kvesic, Tom Johnson.
Replacements: David Ward, Nathan Catt, Kyle Sinckler, Michael Paterson, Richard Wigglesworth, Stephen Myler, Jonny May, Chris Pennell.
Canterbury: Tom Taylor; Johnny McNicholl, Reynold Lee-Lo, Kieron Fonotia, Nafi Tuitavake; Tyler Bleyendaal, Willi Heinz; Tim Perry, Corey Flynn, Nepo Laulala; Jimmy Tupou, Joel Everson; Jordan Taufua, George Whitelock (capt.), Luke Whitelock.
Replacements: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Siate Tokolahi, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Adam Whitelock, Rob Thompson.
- Additional reporting by TheScore.ie.
