Rugby: Beaten by a nose - McAlister out again

Luke McAlister. Photo / Getty Images

Any thoughts of Luke McAlister making his Blues comeback this week disappeared when the midfield back broke his nose yesterday in a training ground accident.

McAlister suffered the injury when he collected a teammate's boot in the face during a tackling drills session, as the squad resumed work after last week's bye under the extra gaze of the All Black selectors.

National coach Graham Henry just shook his head and wondered at McAlister's ill-fortune as the bloodied midfielder was taken away for repairs by the medical staff. His nose was repositioned and the damage will be reassessed in 48 hours.

McAlister returned to rugby with his Silverdale club at the weekend after pulling a calf muscle in pre-season training.

The 26-year-old hoped to be in the mix for the Blues next game against the Brumbies at Eden Park on Friday, but that idea has stalled with his latest injury.

"Probably not now," coach Pat Lam replied, when asked about McAlister's availability for Friday. "Unfortunately, he took a knock but that's just the way it is."

Lam was unsure how long his midifelder would be absent. "Depends how bad it is, but I'll talk to the medical staff."

McAlister missed the past two Super rugby campaigns after taking a two-year deal with the Sale club in the wake of the All Blacks' disappointing exit from the 2007 World Cup.

When he returned last year, he was picked initially for the Junior All Blacks, but then promoted to cover for the injured Richard Kahui in the All Blacks.

McAlister was involved in the three June tests and made an inauspicious start against Italy before fracturing a cheekbone when he was picked in midfield against the Wallabies in Sydney.

On his return, he rolled an ankle in training for North Harbour, but passed a medical for the All Blacks end-of-year tour.

He was picked against Italy and the Barbarians and was used from the bench in the exhilarating win against France.

Other Blues players who have been on the damaged list - Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, George Pisi and Chris Lowrey - all survived club rugby during the bye week.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff used the time to review their ideas and to assess how other sides had altered their strategies in coping with the revised laws.

"We are pleased with a lot of the stuff we have done, but we know there are areas we can really tinker with and we are certainly looking at doing that this week and there is a lot of comfort knowing we are going to Eden Park," Lam said.

Lam pointed out that the Brumbies had been beaten only once and had a great deal of experience with Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley Cooper.

Blues captain Keven Mealamu was in line to collect his 100th cap for the side.

"It is huge - 100 for the Blues and he has well over 100 for the Super 14, but it is special for him," Lam said of his captain.

"He is born and bred here, he leads by example. I think this year he has really grown in his captaincy and leadership of the team and I am sure the boys will want to have a good one for him."

Mealamu was a true professional, Lam said, and had come back strongly from the severe chest injury he suffered last season against the Springboks in Durban.