Rugby: Injuries continue to rock All Blacks

All Black prop Tony Woodcock is struggling with an ankle injury. Photo / Getty Images

More medical issues emerged around All Blacks test rugby candidates today, with Blues prop Tony Woodcock and Chiefs centre Richard Kahui asked to tread tenderly over coming weeks.

Medical staff at both franchises believe the pair should be fit for New Zealand's first test of the year, against Ireland in New Plymouth on June 12, but they are to take limited part in training of any form for the next fortnight. It may affect the involvement of both, if selected, in an All Blacks training camp beginning in Auckland on June 3.

All Blacks veteran Woodcock is struggling with an ankle sprain which is affecting his mobility and needs rest. He failed to see out 80 minutes in any of the Blues' last four matches, ending a campaign in which the world class loosehead struggled for his best form and with back issues.

Kahui also had a mixed season but at least managed to play every game except the last, against the Blues. He has since been diagnosed with damage to his sternoclavicular joint - where the the breastbone and collar bone meet - and told to avoid contact.

Kahui's status only adds to the midfield headaches for All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who may be considering the strapping centre to fill the hole left by injured second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu.

Nonu's knee ligament problem has thrown the position wide open ahead of the test against Ireland and two against Wales next month.

Options were reduced further today with news that Auckland utility back Isaia Toeava will undergo hip surgery and be sidelined for at least four months.

Candidates include two other Blues midfielders - the uncapped Benson Stanley and 30-test veteran Luke McAlister, the latter having made just three starts and played a total of 225 minutes due to a variety of ailments.

McAlister is presently fit, while Chiefs first five-eighth Stephen Donald may also come into the No 12 picture, having returned from a slight calf tear that sidelined him for a month with a club outing over the weekend.

Also due soon for club returns are Chiefs fullback Mils Muliaina (broken thumb) and Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly (ankle), although neither are yet confirmed to play this weekend.

The battle to fill the second hooker berth behind Keven Mealamu widened over the weekend when Corey Flynn played out 80 minutes for his Christchurch club.

Flynn, Chiefs powerhouse Aled de Malmanche and Highlanders veteran Jason Rutledge are the leading candidates for a test callup following the shoulder injury suffered by Andrew Hore.

Henry and selectors can discount a host of names before unveiling their 26-man squad on Sunday, including: Nonu, Hore, wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder) and Lelia Masaga (knee), first five-eighth Mike Delany (shoulder) and locks Ali Williams (Achilles tendon) and Jason Eaton (knee),

- NZPA