KEY POINTS:
Medical tests for All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis have been delayed at least a day while he battles the effects of a head knock suffered at the weekend.
Ellis was to undergo standard impact tests for concussion in Christchurch yesterday after receiving the blow late in Canterbury's defeat of Otago in Dunedin.
Ellis, a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad last month ahead of axed Wellingtonian Piri Weepu, left Carisbrook dazed and later said he remembered nothing of the game.
Yesterday, he was still suffering from nausea and headaches.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson, with Canterbury medical staff, will wait until at least today to conduct tests to clarify the degree of damage the 23-year-old has sustained.
"I can't remember a thing up until we got back to the hotel," Ellis told the Press newspaper. "I can't remember anything about it. I thought it was a pre-season game. Then someone said I said I thought I was in one of the Junior All Blacks games."
Ellis remains a likely inclusion in the All Blacks World Cup squad of 30. The list will be finalised and submitted to the International Rugby Board today.
Canterbury prop Greg Somerville is likely to be confirmed as the 30th player, even though his year has been blighted by injury.
The 55-test veteran has spent most of 2007 recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last September. In his first-class return for Canterbury last month, he incurred an eye injury and has been sidelined since.
If Somerville is not deemed fit for selection, the fourth propping berth will go to Wellington's John Schwalger.
- NZPA
