Kieran Read and mates doing the Haka

All Blacks number eight Kieran Read will miss New Zealand’s Pool Games and fellow injured loose forward Adam Thomson looks set to miss the opening match against Tonga.

Read has a high ankle sprain and is expected to be out of action for six weeks but the All Blacks are hoping he will recover a week early and play in the All Blacks final pool game.

Thomson has an inside elbow which he also sustained in the All Blacks final Tri Nations Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday night and both players received MRI scans in Christchurch yesterday on their return to New Zealand.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said,”Kieran has torn the ligament between the tibia and fibula at the front of his left ankle and while it’s still early days in his recovery, with aggressive rehabilitation we are aiming to have him available to play near the end of the round robin.

“Adam’s MRI scan shows some swelling around the inside of his elbow which should settle quickly. He also has some deep bruising to his upper arm and while it’s difficult to know how long that will take to settle, we are hoping he will be ready for selection for the All Blacks’ second round robin match against Japan.”

Read and Thomson will remain with the All Blacks squad as they undergo their rehabilitation.

The All Blacks squad assembles in Auckland on Friday to prepare for the opening match of Rugby World Cup against Tonga.