/ 8 August 2005

All Blacks call in halfback replacement

Uncapped halfback Kevin Senio has been called into the All Blacks squad for the Tri-Nations rugby Test against Australia on Saturday, replacing the injured Byron Kelleher.

Kelleher suffered a head injury in Saturday’s 22-16 loss to South Africa in Cape Town. In his absence, Piri Weepu is likely to start against the Wallabies at Sydney while Senio will take his place on the bench.

”Kevin played well for the Junior All Blacks in June and his call-up is based on that recent form,” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said on Monday.

New Zealand captain Tana Umaga is in doubt for Saturday’s match after spraining his ankle in Cape Town but has not been replaced. – Sapa-AP