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Injury rules All Black winger Rokocoko out of England Test

07/04/2008

New Zealand winger Joe Rokocoko has been ruled out of this summer's Test matches against England and Ireland after undergoing surgery on his wrist.

The Auckland Blues star was injured during a Super 14 match against Western Force in March, and while the problem is not causing him discomfort at the moment it could create difficulties later in his career if left untreated.

"It's hard for me to leave the team and not play, especially when my wrist doesn't really hurt," Rokocoko said.

"But I'm in the hands of the medical staff and the risks long-term outweigh any option to keep on playing for the short term."

Rokocoko's club doctor Stephen Kara explained the reasons behind the surgery were to avoid the early onset of arthritis in the wrist.

At training during that week it became clinically obvious that Joe had ruptured the scapho-lunate ligament in the wrist," Kara revealed.

"This is a ligament that stabilises the small carpal/wrist bones (not a common injury in isolation) and if not surgically repaired will lead to long-term disruption of all the wrist bones and a painful arthritis within five years."

Kara also confirmed that the 24-year-old had been allowed to play on with the injury for the last three games but, in consultation with the All Blacks' medical team, has been advised to go for surgery now.

Blues coach David Nucifora said Rokocoko would be missed during his enforced absence, describing the New Zealand international as "a much-valued team-mate".

"Post-surgery Joe will continue to play a support role within our squad and we will be doing all we can to assist with his recovery," he added.