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Rugby League

Kiwis select injury doubt Webb

07/10/2008

New Zealand have selected Leeds Rhinos full-back Brent Webb in their squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

Webb missed his club side's superb Grand Final victory over St Helens on Saturday evening after suffering a reoccurrence of a long-running back injury.

At the time, Leeds head coach Brian McClennan revealed that the injury threatens his participation in the World Cup as it left him in severe pain.

Webb was so badly incapacitated that he was unable to even travel across Manchester to attend the game at Old Trafford, raising severe doubts over his availability for the tournament in Australia.

Nevertheless, New Zealand have chosen to take the risk in the hope that, even if the talented full-back fails to recover for their opening group match against the hosts on October 26th, he could have a part to play in the latter stages.

After speaking to the player following his injury last week, prior to the Grand Final, McClennan said it was"probably the worst week in [Webb's] sporting life".

"We were confident earlier in the week that he would be available but then he suffered a reoccurrence of the back injury in training," the coach explained.

"The last time he suffered it he was out for three to four weeks and it is worse this time."

McClennan added: "He is devastated to miss out on… possibly representing the Kiwis in the World Cup."