All Blacks trio 'highly doubtful'

Mils Muliaina is one of the players under an injury cloud as the All Blacks' international season gets underway. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Injured trio Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui and Tom Donnelly are almost certain to miss the All Blacks' rugby test against Ireland in New Plymouth next Saturday.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith stopped short of ruling the injured trio out of the season opener, but said they were unlikely to be chosen.

"I wouldn't pick any of them personally," Smith told reporters at the All Blacks' camp in Auckland today.

Fullback Muliaina (calf), midfielder Kahui (chest) and lock Donnelly (ankle) were all included in the 26-man squad named last weekend, but uncertainty around them saw outside backs Ben Smith and Rene Ranger and lock Sam Whitelock summoned to the camp as cover.

Smith said the three weren't far away from full fitness, with Kahui the most advanced.

"Mils is coming along pretty well. The idea for him would be to get some club footy as soon as we can. With the calf we just have to treat it and progress it slowly.

"Tom Donnelly is similar, day by day he has a wee bit of pain. But he's progressing.

"Richard is running pretty well. There's no contact at the moment but he's looking pretty good."

It leaves Cory Jane (fullback), Benson Stanley (second five-eighth) and Anthony Boric (lock) as the likely starters in the absence of the injured trio.

The All Blacks had fitness testing in Auckland today and fly to New Plymouth on Sunday to begin their buildup.

- NZPA