All Blacks: Nonu injury leaves glaring gap in backline

Blues back Luke McAlister (left) has had a calf injury, while a damaged sternum was a setback for Chiefs centre Richard Kahui. Photos / Brett Phibbs, Sarah Ivey

Situation vacant: All Black second five-eighths. Applicants please apply pronto.

The backline resources dwindled further yesterday as an injured Ma'a Nonu was ruled out of the June internationals to leave an even greater conundrum for the national selectors.

"The barrel is getting empty, I'm not sure who we will use as his replacement, we have not discussed that yet," coach Graham Henry said last night.

"Ma'a has been a key player for the last few years, he has played some good football for the Hurricanes and been a potent attacker and we will take some time to sort out what we will do."

Nonu's exit with a knee injury compounds the loss of his Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore with a dislocated shoulder amid suggestions the All Black hooker might miss the whole season.

A replacement hooker will be picked but Nonu's absence from the midfield offers a range of solutions without any appearing to be a neat fit.

A specialist second five-eighths like Luke McAlister, Benson Stanley or Ryan Crotty could be chosen, first five-eighths like Daniel Carter or Stephen Donald shifted out or a utility outside back like Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui or Colin Slade tried.

Strong utilities like Tamati Ellison, Anthony Tuitavake and Tim Bateman are all heading to offshore deals. Former All Black second five-eighths Aaron Mauger retired this season with a back injury while another former international Nick Evans is contracted to play for Harlequins until June next year.

There are degrees of problems with all the candidates.

McAlister started just three games for the Blues this season after overcoming a calf injury and lasted just a few minutes in his final game before retiring injured. He has had little time to show any form and would need to be picked on history and hope.

Stanley has been steady all season for the Blues without suggesting he might succeed at the next level while Crotty was similar at the Crusaders before he lost his place to another departing talent Daniel Bowden.

Toeava is on several weeks rest from any running because of a persistent hip complaint but has been a favourite of this selection panel and played at second five-eighths against Munster two years ago.

Kahui struggled with his form for large chunks of the Super 14 and then damaged his sternum while Slade's best utility work may be further out at fullback and wing where he has assisted the Crusaders.

"We only just found out about Ma'a and we will need some time to sort through what we will do," Henry said.

Nonu ruptured a posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Hurricanes' loss to the Waratahs. That defeat ended the Canes' late surge towards the playoffs while Nonu's injury has eliminated him for at least six weeks before he can resume training.

A statement from the Hurricanes said he would not need surgery but his injury will eliminate him from the All Blacks' opening test against Ireland and two against Wales with some doubt about his availability for the July 10 Tri-Nations start against the Springboks.

Nonu joins a national injury register which has lock Ali Williams, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, lock Jason Eaton and perhaps Hore out for the year, Tom Donnelly, Mike Delany and Corey Flynn battling problems although Mils Muliaina is expected to resume club rugby next weekend.