Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn who made his return to Super 14 rugby against the Stormers on the weekend will miss this weekend’s clash against the Bulls due to injury.
Flynn will return home after suffering an ankle sprain during the 42-14 loss to the Stormers but could feature in later rounds as the injury is not considered serious.
Flynn started the match in Cape Town but went off early and there were early fears that the injury-plagued All Blacks hooker had suffered a recurrence of the cracked bone that had ruled him out since March 12.
His latest injury is on the same left ankle but a team spokesman says that it is a straight sprain and the seven-test hooker should be fit to play again in 2-3 weeks.
His starting place against the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend is expected to be taken by Ti’i Paulo while Daniel Perrin has flown out to provide backup.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes centre Conrad Smith will have a midweek assessment after taking multiple blows to the head during yesterday’s 33-27 defeat of the Chiefs in Wellington.
Smith was forced from the field in a groggy state with 15 minutes remaining but a team spokesman said it was too early to diagnose the condition of the All Blacks No 13.