Vaea Fifita's All Blacks Rugby World Cup dream could be over.
The powerful loose forward was a late withdrawal prior to kickoff with a knee injury as Wellington kept Canterbury winless in the Mitre 10 Cup, winning 23-22 last night.
Fifita was named to start at blindside flanker for the Wellington Lions earlier in the week in what shaped as a crucial game for him ahead of Wednesday's All Black Rugby World Cup squad naming in Auckland.
The 27-year-old, who has played 11 tests, would have been eager to turn in a big showing in his last chance to impress All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
Meanwhile, Wellington overcame Fifita's absence to earn their first win of the Mitre 10 Cup season, having opened with a loss against Tasman and draw with Hawke's Bay.
Source: stuff.co
ADVERTISEMENT
