News

Bad break for Taranaki

September 30 2008

As if drawing against Counties Manukau last week was bad enough for Taranaki, they now have to play out the remainder of the season without full-back Asalemo Malo.

The Round Nine clash last Friday was a day Malo would rather forget.

He bombed a certain try early in the second half against the Steelers, then scored Taranaki's sole try seconds before the final hooter at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.

As the players sat around in the changing room afterwards trying to come to grips with a 13-13 draw that seriously dented their play-off hopes, Malo's left hand swelled up.

Twelve hours later, Malo's hand was in plaster - his thumb broken and his Air New Zealand Cup rugby season over.

"I think I broke it in a tackle about 30 minutes into the game. It was a little bit sore, but not bad," he told the Taranaki Daily News .

"It swelled up afterwards. I'll be in plaster for six weeks. It's very disappointing."

Asked whether or not the injury played a part in spilling the ball with the goal line open, Malo said he didn't think so.

"I should have caught it," he said.

"It's frustrating."

Malo's place has been taken by Jack Cameron, who gets his first start of the season.