All Blacks: Sivivatu likely to miss Springboks match

Sitiveni Sivivatu suffered a facial injury while playing for New Zealand against Australia at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is likely to miss the All Blacks' next Tri-Nations rugby test in South Africa after his eye was injured yesterday.

Sivivatu scored the try which sealed the victory for the All Blacks in last night's test against the Wallabies 10 minutes into the second half last night, but he was forced from the field four minutes later with the eye injury.

The All Blacks will seek to further their Tri-Nations chances against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in a fortnight, but it's likely Sivivatu won't join them until the return match against Australia the following week.

"He's got a fractured eye socket which is not good," coach Graham Henry said today.

"He probably will miss South Africa but probably will be right for Brisbane."

Henry confirmed that several other players who have missed this season's All Blacks matches due to injury are likely to go to South Africa.

Prop Tony Woodcock is among them, though he won't play for North Harbour today against Auckland after picking up a slight hamstring injury in a midweek match.

"It's unbelievable - I didn't think he ran fast enough to get one of those - and medical staff don't want to risk it," Henry said.

"It's not serious, but if he played too quickly on it it could go, so we're not taking a risk."

Henry said Woodcock told him he could handle playing South Africa despite his lack of game time.

"He's played 80 tests, so he knows what he's doing. He won't play the whole game, but we just need to get him back in the fold."

Outside back Israel Dagg played club rugby in Hawke's Bay yesterday, while another utility, Isaia Toeava, plays for Auckland against North Harbour today, and centre Richard Kahui plays for Waikato against Canterbury on Wednesday.

Henry said all of those players would head to South Africa barring injury, particularly as they needed game time before the World Cup squad is announced.

"We have to name it the Tuesday before the Australian test, so that's pretty important that they play," he said.

The All Blacks can take 26 players to South Africa but Henry said it was likely 24 would go as he didn't think there was any point taking people who would not be playing.

- NZPA