piri weepu

All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan is in serious doubt for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Christchurch next Saturday after suffering rib cartilage damage during last night's 49-28 victory over the Wallabies at Etihad Stadium. Cowan was replaced by Piri Weepu in the 33rd minute of the first half and All Blacks head coach Graham Henry said he was unlikely to feature when New Zealand attempt to retain the Bledisloe Cup and close in on recovering the Tri-Nations trophy with a fourth successive victory at AMI  

Any plan for Piri Weepu to play for Wellington B this weekend ended when he damaged his ankle yesterday at a special All Black training camp. Weepu's place in the All Blacks squad for the next Bledisloe Cup test on August 22 is now in jeopardy after he twisted his left ankle late in the session at Waitakere Stadium. After some treatment from the medical staff, Weepu was assisted from the field in the only visible setback at the session.  

The veteran delivered another stellar counter-attacking performance and was well rewarded with two tries. He may have only touched the ball a few times but two of his touches were simply God like. His chip kick for Muliaina's first try was simply sublime skill while his own try showed off his tremendous strength.  

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and his Australian counterpart Rocky Elsom say the stadium pitch for Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby match should be fine, dismissing criticism of the surface. McCaw said Friday that he and the All Blacks squad visited the Docklands venue on Thursday and had little issue with the pitch that has been criticized by Australian Rules football players for being uneven and spongy in places. "It's been a lot of talk about not much," McCaw said Friday.  

Super 14 blindside flanker Adam Thomson has persuaded the All Black selectors his skills are the best fit as understudy to openside Richie McCaw. The All Black team named yesterday for the opening test of the season against France in Dunedin has a number of notable firsts. Experienced fullback Mils Muliaina will take over the captaincy for the first time, Isaac Ross will debut at lock and there are potential breakthrough caps for Tanerau Latimer and Bryn Evans who are on the bench.  

Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale.  

Joe Rokocoko will become New Zealand's most-capped winger when he plays in their Tri-Nations game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.  

Australian rugby officials are concerned for the safety of players in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test at Etihad Stadium after the AFL Players Association on Monday demanded the league consider moving games from the arena because of its dangerous playing surface.  

The concern comes after the AFL Players Association yesterday demanded the league consider moving games from the arena because of its dangerous playing surface.