Mayerhofler may return to All Blacks
Posted: Sunday July 12, 1998 08:27 PM
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Mayerhofler missed Saturday's match with a hamstring injury (David Rogers/ Allsport) |
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Rugby union center Mark Mayerhofler is expected to be recalled to the New Zealand team to play South Africa following the 24-16 loss to Australia in the Tri Nationsand Bledisloe Cup test on Saturday.
Mayerhofler was a late withdrawal from the All Black side because of a strained hamstring, but he's being monitored daily and should be in the team to be announced Tuesday for the July 25 match against the Springboks at Wellington.
All Black coach John Hart said the team would have a training run on Friday and he's optimistic Mayerhofler will be fully recovered.
He said Mayerhofler's injury had forced the selectors to play Waikato Chiefs center Scott McLeod earlier than they would have liked following his return from a lengthy injury layoff.
Hart said the team was in a transition stage and the New Zealand public could no longer expect it to win every time it played.
"What we're trying to do is build a team long-term and we have to get these players into form," Hart said.
"We must look ahead -- most people would understand that. It would be nice to have the experience but we need to have no more rustiness."
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