WELLINGTON, October 30- Injury-troubled Sitiveni Sivivatu has been forced out of the All Blacks northern hemisphere tour after suffering a fresh knee injury.The 43-Test wing only returned to action last week after five months’ rehabilitation following shoulder surgery and was not selected for the All Blacks opening tour match against Australia in Hong Kong on Saturday.
He was scheduled to join the team for the Britain and Ireland leg of the tour after playing for his Waikato side against Auckland in New Zealand’s provincial championship semi-final this weekend.
However, during a training run with the All Blacks last weekend before they left New Zealand the 28-year-old injured his left knee and a scan on Friday showed he had dislodged a bone fragment.
"He will see an orthopaedic surgeon over the weekend and may require an arthroscopy," All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said from Hong Kong he would not call for a replacement and would rely on the three other wings in the tour party — Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear — as well as utility Isaia Toeava.
"It’s hugely disappointing for Siti to suffer another injury straight after recovering from his shoulder surgery," Henry said.
"The whole All Blacks squad feels for him and we wish him all the best as he recovers from his latest setback."
