Rugby: McAlister joins the All Black injury list

Graham Henry, 63, showing the troops how it's done at training in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A back injury to Luke McAlister has further complicated the All Black selections ahead of next week's start to the Bledisloe Cup series.

McAlister suffered a back spasm which removed him from club rugby last weekend and any significant physical involvement in the training camp the All Blacks finished yesterday in Wellington.

They were already without Stephen Donald, who started both tests against the French at first five-eighths before damaging his hamstring.

Donald was ahead of schedule in his recovery but it was "debatable" whether he would be fit in time to be considered for Eden Park and the Wallabies on July 18.

Junior All Black Stephen Brett, who had been drafted into the extended squad, filled in at five-eighths, while Piri Weepu was also used in that role for some of the final run when the group split into an 11-a-side game.

Weepu has been used at five-eighths by the Hurricanes and was mentioned as a chance in that role by the All Blacks but only used as a replacement halfback in the opening three tests in June.

"We could start him at nine and someone else at 10, we have not made that decision yet," All Black coach Graham Henry said yesterday.

For the past two seasons, Weepu had shown his ability to make a difference from the bench while he was also a useful goalkicker.

The All Blacks' medical staff had been treating McAlister since he awoke a week ago with a back spasm after a torrid gym session. He was on the mend and the medics were confident he would recover fully though it was unlikely he would play for his Silverdale club tomorrow.

"They are confident he will be right but obviously there is concern and we would have liked him to take a full part in this camp," Henry said.

Those sessions had been invaluable in the buildup to the Bledisloe and Tri-Nations series.

The All Blacks would reassemble in Auckland on Sunday when Henry said further medical reports on McAlister, in particular, would help them sort out their starting XV for Bledisloe I.

Meanwhile, Sanzar has asked Samoa if they want to host the 15th team when Super rugby expands in 2011.

Unions must signal any interest by July 22 with a decision on the side's headquarters to be made in November with that team expected to be part of the Australian conference.

"Geographical location and the time-zone of the new team will be a key consideration for Sanzar," a press release said. Sanzar has told Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Tonga and the US they were not currently seen as potential expansion locations.