Henry Sweats Over Injured Duo

World Cup hosts New Zealand will face a nervous few weeks as they wait to see whether key players Kieran Read and Adam Thompson will be fit and ready to go, both suffering late injuries in last week’s defeat to Australia. The loss against the Aussies will have been one thing but Henry wouldn’t have wanted to lose two integral parts of his plans so soon to the start of the World Cup. Losing the two could well have an effect on the Rugby Union Betting odds.

Number-eight Read’s injury doesn’t look overly worrying, with last year’s New Zealand Player of the Year picking up a minor thigh strain against the Aussies. The 32-cap Read will now have just over a week to rest and recover ahead of the start of the tournament, although Henry is confident of having the powerful 25-year old had his disposal for the All Black’s opening group match against Tonga on the 9th. Those looking forward to the Rugby union world cup betting should be watching this player.

Henry is much less confident over whether or not Thompson will be able to take his place at flanker when the All Blacks take on the Tongans. The 29-year old hurt his elbow against the Aussies and the extent of the problem is not yet fully knows. The 17-cap loose forward had been in scintillating form for Highlanders this season and would be a major miss for the New Zealand forward pack. The signs don’t look good for Thompson though and it’ll now be up to the doctors to determine whether or not the flanker will be able to take his place in the squad.

"We're positive on Kieran, the doctor thinks he'll be able to play in the World Cup.”

"I don't think Adam's injured his arm before but it doesn't look good."

After such a dominant year, the recent double defeats will have knocked the All Blacks a little of their stride and Henry will need to pick the squad up before the World Cup gets under way. If New Zealand are anything other than fully focused against the Tongans then there is a very real chance of an upset.