All Blacks flyhalf Carlos Spencer will undergo surgery on Monday for a fractured jaw and may miss up to four matches for the Auckland Blues, who continue to struggle in rugby union’s Super 12.
Spencer will have a metal plate inserted on the right side of his jaw which was broken in a tackle during Friday’s 27-20 loss to the Waikato Chiefs. The tackler, Chiefs prop Deacon Manu, has been cited over the incident.
Blues captain Xavier Rush has a concussion and All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko a possible broken collar bone, adding to concerns for the playing-through champions who have a 1-2 record after three Super 12 rounds.
Meanwhile, Wellington Hurricanes managers are refusing to divulge the reason why All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu and prop Neemia Tialata were stood down from Saturday’s match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
The pair were suspended for breaches of team rules but manager John Knowles would not specify what the breaches involved. He said no members of the public were involved. – Sapa-AP