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NZ rugby's five-eighth stocks take a hit
By DOUG SAIL and DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Fairfax Media | Sunday, 16 March 2008
NZ rugby's five-eighth stocks take a hit - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz
Injuries are threatening to dramatically thin New Zealand rugby's five-eighth stocks.
Blues playmaker Nick Evans and Crusaders rising star Stephen Brett are the latest to be hit with both injured in their Super 14 clashes last night.
They join Blues back-up five-eighth Isa Nacewa, at least seven weeks away from playing with a knee injury, and the Chiefs Tasesa Lavea who is out for the season with a foot injury.
It is feared the injuries suffered by Evans and Brett tonight are quite serious.
The Blues fear a possible broken jaw for Evans who was helped from the field after 30 minutes following a collision with a teammate in their 27-17 loss to the Force.
He was taken to hospital and there were genuine concerns about his jaw which he was clutching as he headed through the players' tunnel at North Harbour Stadium.
Brett, the understudy to All Blacks and Crusaders star, Dan Carter, left the field in their 55-7 romp over the Cheetahs with what many thought was an AC joint problem, but a teammate, young winger Sean Maitland, later told Sky Sport there were fears Brett had actually broken his collar bone.
Evans injury couldn't come to a more important player for the Blues.
Evans has been in fluid form with his general play and his goalkicking and looks a key to his side's playoff chances.
But as good a player as Evans is, he has a long history of untimely injuries. The Blues will be hoping that Evans' latest problems don't turn out to be as serious as feared. Blues officials said Evans was dazed and his hospital visit was "a precaution".
The Blues have already lost their backup No 10 with Isa Nacewa sidelined for about another seven weeks with knee damage.
That would leave the Blues to utilise the allround talents of young All Black Isaia Toeava who took over against the Western Force but couldn't get a tired Blues side home.
The Blues have slipped from top of the table to having their top four place in danger in the space of two weeks.
And they face a massive challenge next Saturday night at Eden Park when they host a resurgent Stormers side who have already claimed two scalps on the road, beating both the Reds and the Chiefs in successvie matches.
They are already confidently talking about upsetting the Blues.