Rugby: Weepu throws injury scare through Hurricanes

Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu injured his ankle at training today. Photo / Getty Images

Halfback Piri Weepu is in doubt for the Hurricanes' must-win Super 14 rugby match against the Waratahs on Friday after suffering an ankle injury at training today.

Weepu limped out of the session to have ice treatment and will go for tests later today to determine the extent of the injury before the Hurricanes fly to Sydney tomorrow.

"Hopefully it is just bruising," coach Colin Cooper said.

"If it's bruising he'll be fine. We've got a pretty good medical group."

But Cooper wasn't prepared to risk 35-test All Black Weepu if he was struggling and had no qualms about reinstating Tyson Keats to the No 9 jersey after a strong season.

"We're armed with another really good nine who's been starting in the last few weeks. If Piri's to be replaced we're armed pretty well there.

"You've got to think of the athlete and you've got to think of the team. We've made these calls all year, we won't play anyone with a niggle. Piri will now have to go through tests."

Flanker Victor Vito trained strongly today but wasn't deemed fit enough to return from the calf injury which kept him out of last weekend's 44-21 win over the Reds.

It meant Michael Paterson would wear No 6 for a second consecutive week.

"With Victor it was very tempting to put him in, but for him and for the team it was better to leave him out," Cooper said.

There was better news for All Blacks centre Conrad Smith who reclaimed the No 13 jersey from Jason Kawau after missing the Reds match due to concussion.

In the other change to the starting lineup, loosehead prop John Schwalger returns in place of Jacob Ellison who drops to the bench, while Kawau was bracketed with Willie Ripia on the bench after taking a head knock against the Reds.

Victory over the Waratahs will book the Hurricanes a semifinal spot as they chase a fifth straight victory.

Hurricanes
Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu/Tyson Keats, Rodney So'oialo, Karl Lowe, Michael Paterson, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Nick Crosswell, Scott Waldrom, Keats/tbc, Jason Kawau/Willie Ripia, David Smith.

- NZPA