News

So'oialo salutes substitutes

June 21 2008

Number eight Rodney So'oialo has praised the All Black replacements after injuries to captain Richie McCaw and experienced lock Ali Williams marred a comprehensive 44-12 victory over England in Christchurch on Saturday.

Both players left the field in the first half with ankle injuries and it was doubtful whether they would be available for the All Blacks next match, against South Africa in Wellington in a fortnight at the start to this year's Tri-Nations tournament.

Williams limped off in the 15th minute and McCaw followed suit in the 28th minute favouring his left ankle after he twisted it and fell awkwardly in an incident behind play.

Both were taken from AMI Stadium for X-rays and the results wouldn't be known until Sunday, coach Graham Henry said.

"They look reasonably serious to me but we won't know any more until we get the X-rays and get the result," said Henry.

So'oialo, who took over the captaincy from McCaw said the replacement players [Sione Lauaki and Anthony Boric] had done a good job.

"They [Richie and Ali] are two very experienced guys and the work they do on the field is tremendous. The guys that took their places did exceptionally well," said So'oialo.

So'oialo also praised the All Blacks tight five who dominated in the scrums and were highly effective from set-piece play.

"The tighties worked very hard to give good, clean ball to the backs and it paid off.[From set-pieces] the boys did their job well and took full advantage," he said.