All Blacks: Unlucky Sivivatu ruled out of tour

Sitiveni Sivivatu. Photo / Greg Bowker

Sitiveni Sivivatu's injury curse has continued with the All Blacks flyer ruled out of the Grand Slam rugby tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland hours before he was due to depart.

The 43-test wing was ruled out earlier today after a scan of his left knee revealed a floating bone fragment that may need surgery.

Sivivatu had been expected to play for Waikato in tonight's provincial rugby semifinal against Auckland at Eden Park, a final hit out to prove his fitness after post-Super 14 surgery to reconstruct a shoulder.

But after the 28-year-old was unable to train with Waikato on Thursday, a scan yesterday confirmed he would be sidelined for about a month making it impractical to join the 29-man tour party for tests against England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Sivivatu copped a knock to the knee while playing a trial game for the All Blacks in Auckland last Friday before the team headed to Hong Kong for tonight's Bledisloe Cup test with the Wallabies.

"He doesn't even remember it happening, he just complained of some knee pain at the end of the run," All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said.

"He did a cycle on Tuesday and started the train on Thursday but couldn't run. Siti knows himself pretty well. He said 'I don't feel confident at all about this'."

She told Fairfax Media that Sivivatu could require surgery.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry sympathised with the plight of one of his prime attacking threats.

"It's hugely disappointing for Siti to suffer another injury straight after recovering from his shoulder surgery," he said.

"The whole All Blacks squad feels for him and we wish him all the best as he recovers from his latest setback."

A replacement would not initially be added to the squad as wings Joe Rokocoko, Cory Jane and Hosea Gear were already touring. Utility back Isaia Toeava could also cover the position.

If injuries against the Wallabies - or on the European leg of the trip - prompt a rethink, Rene Ranger could be the leading candidate although he does have a court case in relation to an alleged assault pending in November.

Centre Robbie Fruean might also be in the frame on the strength of his performances for Canterbury this season in tandem with new All Black Sonny Bill Williams.

Meanwhile, hooker Andrew Hore's return from a shoulder dislocation during the last round of the Super 14 is plan is running to schedule.

"He's going really well. He did some really good work in the Taranaki environment and we've carried that on," Robinson said.

"The level of the contact and intensity is a little bit higher (in All Blacks) so it's been a good progression for him."

The five-month rehabilitation phase prescribed by Hore's surgeon expires on Tuesday and barring any setbacks he is expected to be involved in the Scotland test at Murrayfield on November 14 (NZT).

"We'll see how he goes this week and where his confidence is at," Robinson said.

"It's a big step coming back in to test football. The confidence required is a little different to coming back to the level below.

"We won't rush him. His future and next year is far more critical than one test match next week."

- NZPA