England and New Zealand have both suffered crucial losses before their meeting in Saturday's first Test at Eden Park. The centre Billy Twelvetrees missed England's final training session before Stuart Lancaster names his XV tomorrow - all but confirming his absence - while New Zealand lost the IRB world player of the year, Kieran Read, to concussion.
Twelvetrees - who made a try-scoring debut against Scotland in the opening round of the 2013 Six Nations - had been a doubt since picking up an ankle injury on the first weekend of May and his absence means that Kyle Eastmond is likely to win his third cap. The diminutive former Rugby League man shone on last summer’s tour to Argentina but has endured a tricky 2013-14, falling out of favour at Bath amid rumours he might quit the club.
If, as expected, Eastmond and Freddie Burns - in the absence of Owen Farrell, Stephen Myler and George Ford - are to line up at fly-half and inside centre, then England will be fielding their fourth-choice players in those key positions.
While Read is of rare class, the depth of the All Blacks means his absence does not pose quite the same headaches for Steve Hansen, who is able to call up Jerome Kaino once again after a stint in Japan. Having missed a number of Super Rugby games with concussion earlier in the season, Read woke on Monday with minor concussion-like symptoms after Crusaders' 30-7 win over Western Force.
While Kaino returned from Japan only six weeks ago, he has hit his Super Rugby straps and was instrumental in Blues’ win over Hurricanes on Saturday - a game that England’s players enjoyed from the stands at Eden Park. Kaino led an immense defensive effort and carried with purpose, crossing for a try shortly after half-time.
While Read, with his slick hands, supple movement and sharp feet, often operates out wide, Kaino's is a less subtle threat, coming through the middle of the field with aggressive carries and tenacious tackling. Whether Read was fit or not, it was possible that Kaino's Super Rugby form would have forced him into the side at the expense of the Chiefs' blindside Liam Messam but now both are likely to partner the captain, Richie McCaw, in the back row.
The All Blacks' loose-forward stocks were further depleted by the withdrawal of McCaw's understudy for the No7 jersey, Sam Cane, who suffered a knee fracture over the weekend. Steven Luatua, a surprise absentee from the initial squad, and Matt Todd of the Crusaders, have been called up to deputise. In the backs the winger Julian Savea is a doubt for the first Test with a knee injury.
Copyright: Guardian News & Media 2014
