Rugby: Thigh injury may force Mehrtens out

Andrew Mehrtens' adductor muscle injury may not prevent him from playing in the NPC first division match against Southland in Christchurch on Saturday, but it may still keep him from goalkicking.

Canterbury fullback Ben Blair did the goalkicking instead of Mehrtens in their match against Taranaki at New Plymouth last weekend.

Canterbury team doctor Rob Campbell said yesterday that x-rays had shown no structural tears or breaks in the adductor muscle.

"It [the muscle] gets tight, as it was at the weekend, and it was worse at training on Tuesday, but it's loosened up nicely in the last 48 hours," Campbell said.

First five-eighths Mehrtens has previously struggled with the inside-thigh injury, which is aggravated by his round-the-corner goalkicking style. Campbell said the kicking action pulled the thigh into the centre of the body and put strain on the adductor. Other muscles also tightened and could affect Mehrtens' ability to run.

Because Mehrtens had not been practising his goalkicking last week, Blair was used at New Plymouth and the New Zealand Colts fullback responded by landing six of his seven attempts.

Canterbury coach Robbie Deans said yesterday that although several players had niggling injuries, none of them appeared to be long-term.

"The doc has indicated that Mehrtens should be fine, but we'll look at him and the others at training tomorrow."

The player causing most concern is All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall, who has a hamstring injury.

With the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato only 10 days away it would not be a surprise if Marshall was given more time to recover and for Ben Hurst to remain at halfback against Southland.

Meanwhile, flanker Reuben Thorne said the side were keeping a lid on their emotions as the shield challenge loomed.

"We're not that good that we can forget about the team in front of us," Thorne said. "The focus is on them [Southland], otherwise we could come off second best."

Meanwhile, Romi Ropati has been brought back on to the left wing in the only change to the Otago line-up for their match against Taranaki in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Ropati, who was ruled out of last week's game against Northland with influenza, is back to full fitness and reclaims his spot in the side at the expense of James Jowsey.

Otago coach Kevin Gloag said Ropati's return added a wealth of experience to a side who were starting to hit their straps.

"I think we're starting to click," Gloag said after training yesterday.

"This weekend will be a big game for us. Taranaki have suffered two big losses in a row and we know they'll play with a lot of commitment, pride and passion at home.

Otago are in sixth place and need maximum points on Saturday as they try to edge out Wellington and North Harbour for a spot in the top four.

- NZPA