| Tweet |
|
|
Rugby World Cup betting
Richie McCaw, flanker and captain of the New Zealand rugby team, faces an uphill struggle to beat a foot injury in time for Sunday's World Cup match against Argentina. The veteran player, who has, essentially, been left to his own devices, in order to expedite his recovery, faces the prospect of playing with minimal training, when his country takes to the field in Auckland, this weekend.
Graham Henry, the All Blacks' coach, said that McCaw's injury is "niggly", suggesting that it is only a minor issue. "He's looking after it as best he can", Henry said. However, the 65-year-old noted that Sunday's game will be a "big mental challenge" for the player, given that McCaw hasn't played a full rugby match since the beginning of October. McCaw will be playing with pins in his foot, and may require corrective surgery after the World Cup. Pundits like Will Greenwood will be keeping a close eye on his recovery.
New Zealand have struggled with injuries throughout the current competition. All Blacks hero, Dan Carter, suffered a back injury in September, a complaint he swiftly followed up with a groin problem. He was eventually sent home, to recover. Carter was joined in the physio room by McCaw and, earlier this week, Crusaders player, Zac Guildford. Guildford has injured his hamstring. Fans of Rugby World Cup betting will be wondering what impact this will have on the side.
While the absence of the three is unlikely to pose a problem for the All Blacks during the Argentina game, given New Zealand's 16-0 win-loss tally over the Pumas, their opponents in the semi-finals are likely to offer far greater resistance to the Kiwi war machine. Many of the All Blacks' problems will stem from the fact that parts of their line-up have not played together for months.
New Zealand's back-row of McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read, for example, have not played together since the beginning of August.
Bet365 World Cup Rugby Odds