WELLINGTON, May 12 (Reuters)- Injuries to New Zealanders are up only slightly on previous Super rugby seasons despite the widespread perception there is an All Blacks crisis developing just four months before the start of the World Cup, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU)'s medical director said on Thursday.
The return of key All Blacks Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter for the
Canterbury Crusaders this weekend might do something to ease the panic, triggered when four of their team mates had to be sent home after being injured in last week's match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Critics on Talkback radio stations and in the media have suggested that the expanded Super rugby competition this season, which features more matches and more hard-fought local derbies, was filling New Zealand's hospital wards with All Blacks.
"Every year there are bits during the season where you get more injuries than others and what usually happens is that over the season it evens itself out," Dr Steve Targett told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"We looked at overall injuries a couple of weeks ago and it's really no different to any other years.
"Maybe we are panicking just a little bit at the moment (because)... it's World Cup year and there happen to be a lot of All Blacks on the injury list, and that does sharpen the mind."
Despite the further good news that All Blacks inside centre Ma'a Nonu and scrumhalf Piri Weepu would be back from injury for the Wellington Hurricanes this weekend, the casualty list has appeared long this season.
A dozen regular All Blacks have spent time, or still are, on the sidelines, while 10 other recent internationals have missed games this season through injuries.
In addition, Otago Highlanders flyhalf Colin Slade, who was pushing for a World Cup squad place, is unlikely to play any further Super rugby this season after breaking his jaw for the second time.
"If you look at the nature of rugby here and in the northern hemisphere at the professional level there are always going to be 'X' number of players out per week and unavailable due to injury and we know that," Targett added.
"I think we looked at it about two weeks ago and the number of injuries I think there was like 152 (last year) compared to 158 this year. So that's an insignificant amount (in terms of the increase)."
Targett said the NZRU worked in consultation with all five of New Zealand's Super rugby franchises to discuss injuries and treatment options, though the franchises were responsible for player injury management and their workload.
MORE CAUTION
The longer season, increasing from 13 to 16 regular season games, bigger squads and the focus on the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 World Cup also meant that franchises were probably being more cautious in their management of player injuries, he said.
"From a medical point of view, you would like to see injuries completely healed before they play again," Targett said. "In theory with the longer competition and bigger squads there is more scope to do that."
The approach was borne out by Blues coach Pat Lam earlier this week in regards to blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, who limped off during last week's 17-11 victory over the Hurricanes and will not play the top-of-the table clash against the Queensland Reds on Friday.
"We're working with the All Blacks coaches as well, and working out what's best for Jerome, what's best for New Zealand rugby and what's best for the Blues," Lam told reporters in Auckland.
"We don't want to take any risks at all (and) we couldn't afford for him to be out for four or five weeks."
Former All Blacks number eight Murray Mexted, however, said he felt the eye on the World Cup may do more harm than good.
"I think there probably is (an eye on the World Cup)," Mexted told Sky Television's Reunion programme. "I don't agree with that.
"Once they start protecting players they're liable not to be battle fit and that's the most important thing."
The return of key All Blacks Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter for the
Canterbury Crusaders this weekend might do something to ease the panic, triggered when four of their team mates had to be sent home after being injured in last week's match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Critics on Talkback radio stations and in the media have suggested that the expanded Super rugby competition this season, which features more matches and more hard-fought local derbies, was filling New Zealand's hospital wards with All Blacks.
"Every year there are bits during the season where you get more injuries than others and what usually happens is that over the season it evens itself out," Dr Steve Targett told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"We looked at overall injuries a couple of weeks ago and it's really no different to any other years.
"Maybe we are panicking just a little bit at the moment (because)... it's World Cup year and there happen to be a lot of All Blacks on the injury list, and that does sharpen the mind."
Despite the further good news that All Blacks inside centre Ma'a Nonu and scrumhalf Piri Weepu would be back from injury for the Wellington Hurricanes this weekend, the casualty list has appeared long this season.
A dozen regular All Blacks have spent time, or still are, on the sidelines, while 10 other recent internationals have missed games this season through injuries.
In addition, Otago Highlanders flyhalf Colin Slade, who was pushing for a World Cup squad place, is unlikely to play any further Super rugby this season after breaking his jaw for the second time.
"If you look at the nature of rugby here and in the northern hemisphere at the professional level there are always going to be 'X' number of players out per week and unavailable due to injury and we know that," Targett added.
"I think we looked at it about two weeks ago and the number of injuries I think there was like 152 (last year) compared to 158 this year. So that's an insignificant amount (in terms of the increase)."
Targett said the NZRU worked in consultation with all five of New Zealand's Super rugby franchises to discuss injuries and treatment options, though the franchises were responsible for player injury management and their workload.
MORE CAUTION
The longer season, increasing from 13 to 16 regular season games, bigger squads and the focus on the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 World Cup also meant that franchises were probably being more cautious in their management of player injuries, he said.
"From a medical point of view, you would like to see injuries completely healed before they play again," Targett said. "In theory with the longer competition and bigger squads there is more scope to do that."
The approach was borne out by Blues coach Pat Lam earlier this week in regards to blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, who limped off during last week's 17-11 victory over the Hurricanes and will not play the top-of-the table clash against the Queensland Reds on Friday.
"We're working with the All Blacks coaches as well, and working out what's best for Jerome, what's best for New Zealand rugby and what's best for the Blues," Lam told reporters in Auckland.
"We don't want to take any risks at all (and) we couldn't afford for him to be out for four or five weeks."
Former All Blacks number eight Murray Mexted, however, said he felt the eye on the World Cup may do more harm than good.
"I think there probably is (an eye on the World Cup)," Mexted told Sky Television's Reunion programme. "I don't agree with that.
"Once they start protecting players they're liable not to be battle fit and that's the most important thing."
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