Nonu in doubt for Bledisloe return leg

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admits he’s anxious about the prospect of being without powerhouse centre Ma’a Nonu for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland.

The destructive midfielder was forced off midway through the second half of Saturday night’s 12-12 draw in game one in Sydney with a shoulder injury and he was to have scans after returning to New Zealand on Sunday.

Hansen admits the 32-year-old is in serious doubt for the return leg at Eden Park.

“I’d say we’d be sweating on whether or not he will be right next week,” Hansen said on Sunday.

With veteran Conrad Smith missing the series opener to be with his expectant wife, Hansen had to hastily reshuffle his centres on Friday, bringing in two-Test rookie Malakai Fekitoa to partner Nonu.

The coach said Smith was likely to be available this weekend but, if Nonu isn’t, the All Blacks will have to bank on another new midfield combination to combat Australia’s Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Toomua, presuming Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie retains his reliable duo.

Ryan Crotty, rushed into the squad on first Test match eve as cover for Smith, will remain with the All Blacks this week.

But Hansen will almost certainly start with Smith and Fekitoa if Smith is available.

“I’m sure we’ll get Conrad back at some stage this week … things seem to be progressing okay there,” he said.

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino is also an injury concern after hurting his elbow in the opening minute at ANZ Stadium.

Kaino will also have scans, while fellow flanker Richie McCaw said he should be fine to back up despite also suffering a shoulder injury in Sydney.

“I just got a good stinger down there early on but we’ll see how we come through,” the skipper said.

“I think we’ll be right.”

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