All Blacks and Blues rugby wing Doug Howlett has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games sevens team due to injury. Howlett has suffered a hamstring injury which he picked up in the Blues’ Super 14 match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
Making matters worse for the the Blues is the fact that they lost the match 39-10.
NZ 7’s coach Tietjens said Howlett had a scan on the injury yesterday and the scan showed a slight tear. “It’s estimated that he wouldn’t be able to train fully for a period of seven to 10 days,” Tietjens said.
“Given the short turnaround to our first game, we had to make a decision. It is disappointing for Doug and the team because he was really excited about going to the Games and playing for New Zealand.”
He will be replaced by Amasio Valence in the 7’s squad.
