By CHRIS RATTUE
Waikato will find out this week how much part that injury-prone first five-eighths David Hill will play in the NPC.
Hill was stretchered off the field in the fifth minute of Saturday's 23-3 win over Italy at Waikato Stadium with an ankle injury.
The injury comes after a series of
groin problems cut into Hill's career over the past 18 months.
Early tests showed Hill did not fracture the ankle after his leg was twisted in a tackle, but he will miss this week's team camp at Turangi and needs further scans.
Coach Ian Foster said: "There could still be some serious damage. I've been told he could be out anywhere from four weeks to six months."
The only points of the first half came from a Ramiro Pez penalty.
Waikato secured the match through late tries to centre Keith Lowen and wing David Johnston.
There were some heated moments in the second spell, and referee Steve Walsh sinbinned hookers Scott Linklater and Fabio Ongaro.
Italy treated this game as the "unofficial test" of the tour and their endeavour, commitment and determination could not be faulted, although they let themselves down by not treating the ball with the respect it deserved on a windy, rainy day.
Italian coach John Kirwan rated the performance their best defensive effort on tour.
"I'm obviously disappointed with the result because I felt we played a lot better than it indicated," he said. "I thought it was outstanding defence, especially in the first half, but I thought we were sloppy on attack."
"We've come down here to put some of those things right."
Foster said the tough match was a perfect lead-up for the NPC, which begins for Waikato against Taranaki in Hamilton on August 16.
NPC schedule/scoreboard
