All Blacks flanker Matt Todd fractures hand

  • 29/08/2017
Matt Todd.
Matt Todd. Photo credit: Photosport

Canterbury flanker Matt Todd is set for at least a month on the sidelines after fracturing his left hand in a Mitre 10 Cup clash on the weekend.

The 29-year-old sustained the injury in Canterbury's 30-24 Ranfurly Shield defence against Otago on Sunday.

Todd, who was unlucky to miss out on selection for New Zealand's Rugby Championship squad, played the full 80 minutes for Canterbury, but saw a specialist on Monday and scans confirmed his injury.

"Matt Todd had a scan following Sunday's match against Otago, which has confirmed a fractured left hand," the Canterbury Rugby Union said in a statement.

"He has been seen by a hand specialist who, along with team medical staff, will continue to monitor his recovery.

"Matt will be in a splint for four weeks at which stage he will be reviewed by the specialist before being cleared to play."

The injury coincides with concern over the fitness of first-choice New Zealand No.7 Sam Cane, who failed a head injury assessment early in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test win over Australia in Dunedin.              

Todd had been expected to be drafted into the All Blacks squad as cover for the next two Tests in the Rugby Championship, both in New Zealand.        

They face Argentina at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on September 9 and South Africa at QBE Stadium in Auckland a week later.           

Hurricanes dynamo Ardie Savea will be the only fit specialist openside flanker in the squad if Cane is ruled out.  

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