Career not threatened says relieved Blair

By DANIEL GILHOOLY

MELBOURNE - All Blacks fullback Ben Blair is relieved he will have a chance to enjoy next year more than his 2003 rugby season which ended on a grave note today, ruled out of the World Cup with injury.

As expected, Blair was replaced by Auckland's Ben Atiga after specialists could not confirm how long it would take the 24-year-old to recover from a prolapsed disc injury in his neck.

West Coast-born Blair always knew his tournament was coming to an end after scans revealed the extent of the injury sustained when the squad's two smallest players collided at training last Tuesday.

The knee of halfback Steve Devine accidentally struck Blair's head, leaving him seeing stars but unsure of the serious nature of the blow. His neck has niggled him on and off for three years and he had always played with the discomfort.

"I was still pretty hopeful but I knew I'd taken a fairly big knock because most of my neck went fairly numb," he said today.

"I was lying on the ground. I didn't think it would put me out of the tournament though.

"I was pretty gutted (after the scan results) but I was ready for it really. Once I knew it was a prolapsed disc I prepared for the worst."

Blair's neck has provided discomfort on and off over the last three years.

He said the best news was that New Zealand specialists who were in Melbourne last night indicated that he probably wouldn't need an operation and that he could be fit to play rugby again within a month, although it could take longer. He was able to play a game of squash with few problems this afternoon.

"Long term they don't think it's going to be too much of a worry. Whether it's going to come back and keep niggling away, I hope not.

"It's not career-threatening but maybe I've done more damage to it."

He could be fit to join the Crusaders for a full period of off-season training, something he missed 12 months ago after dislocating his shoulder in his last test, against Wales in Cardiff last November.

Blair was struggling to come to terms with his bad luck.

After missing the Super 12 while recovering from the shoulder operation, we was recalled to the All Blacks ahead of the Tri-Nations series but has not played a test this year, including their two opening World Cup pool games.

Getting the recall and helping his club side win the Christchurch competition were his rugby highlights.

"I probably only played about 10 games this year which is pretty disappointing," he said before thinking of one positive -- he will be able to watch the World Cup on television while recovering.

"It's good timing, it's good fun to watch," he said ruefully.

He was "quietly confident" the All Blacks could win.

"We've just got to play well on the day. It's a knockout isn't it, anything could really happen but I think we've got the team to do it, there's no doubt about that."

Blair left the All Blacks squad this afternoon although will remain in Melbourne for a couple of days' holiday with his partner.

Atiga arrived in Melbourne yesterday, spending his first few minutes getting updates on his provincial team's ultimately successful NPC semifinal against Otago in Dunedin.

After gaining clearance to join the All Blacks from World Cup officials this afternoon, he joined the team for a light training run.

All Blacks manager Tony Thorpe said the decision was in the best interest of the team as there was too much uncertainty surrounding Blair's recovery period.

"It's one of those situations where you don't know whether he'll be right in two weeks' time or two months' time," Thorpe said.

"When you're in a tournament like this you have to get on with the business because you're running out of time."

Thorpe confirmed that if the All Blacks won the final, Blair would still receive the $80,000 winning bonus that was negotiated with the New Zealand Rugby Union in August, even though he won't have played a game.

"If you're good enough to be selected, you're good enough to receive from the outcome of the tournament," Thorpe said.

Lock Norm Maxwell remains on standby and a decision on whether he remains in Melbourne was expected to be made tomorrow afternoon. If he flies home, it would indicate management are happy with the progress of centre Tana Umaga's rehabilitation from the knee injury suffered against Italy.

Thorpe said Umaga's swelling was "under control" and that it was hoped he could progress from cycling to jogging within the next two days.

"Considering 7-10 days ago it was looking pretty bleak, he's made a fantastic recovery. The hope's looking pretty good for Tana actually," Thorpe said.

"Once he's jogging we'll have a far better indication of what he's able to do."

The injury status of second five-eighth Aaron Mauger (knee) and halfback Byron Kelleher (hamstring) was less clear. They weren't involved in today's light-hearted training which involved a variety of games.

All Blacks management said they and three other players -- centre Ma'a Nonu, second five-eighth Daniel Carter and flanker Marty Holah -- had opted to do some separate training.

Mauger and Kelleher would be monitored through the week but it appeared unlikely either would be named tomorrow in the side to play Tonga at Brisbane on Friday.

There was more encouraging news for winger Joe Rokocoko (hamstring) and lock Ali Williams (foot) who both ran at training today, although Williams appeared to have a slight limp.

Rokocoko said he noticed his hamstring was tight at halftime against Italy. On the way to his second try he was ankle-tapped which forced him to change his stride and caused the minor tear. He had recovered well, he said.

"I'm 98 per cent, by the end of this week it'll be 100."

- NZPA