Wainwright Injury Doubt as Wales Prepare for New Zealand
Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright is a major injury concern ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against New Zealand in Cardiff. The 29-year-old picked up a leg injury and has been seen wearing a protective boot. BBC Sport
Wainwright did not train on Tuesday, which is a worrying sign with the game only days away. He is a Leicester number eight and a former Dragons player, and he has been one of Wales' most reliable back-row forwards. Coaches use the back row, the three loose forwards who sit behind the scrum, to win turnovers and carry the ball into contact.
He started in Wales' 28-21 win over Japan last Saturday, when he was winning his 71st cap. A cap is the official record of each appearance for a country. Wales head coach Steve Tandy will name his team on Thursday, and the decision on Wainwright will shape the selection.
Taine Basham is the leading contender to replace him. Scarlets back-rower Taine Plumtree is the other option in the squad. Both are flankers who can play across the back row, so the change would be a like-for-like swap rather than a shift in shape.
New Zealand have their own selection news. Wing Will Jordan will miss the match with a hamstring injury, which is a strain in the muscle at the back of the thigh. Centre Jordie Barrett is available after passing head injury assessment (HIA) protocols, the checks that players must clear before returning to play after a possible concussion.
Wales are fifth out of six in the northern hemisphere table, with two wins from four matches so far. Their next home game comes against Australia on 21 November, a week after the New Zealand match. The Nations Championship finals weekend at the end of the month will be held at Twickenham, in London.
For Wales, the next few days are about answers. If Wainwright is passed fit, his experience will be needed against a strong New Zealand side. If he is not, Basham or Plumtree will be asked to step into a big Test match at short notice. Either way, Tandy's team sheet on Thursday is the next thing to watch.
