New Zealand Rugby
All Blacks duo cleared for World Cup duty
ESPNscrum Staff
August 30, 2011
All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read cuts a forlorn figure after being forced off through injury, Australia v New Zealand, Tri-Nations, Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia, August 27, 2011
Read is set to miss the opening weeks of the All Blacks' World Cup campaign © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Kieran Read | Adam Thomson
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Kieran Read and Adam Thomson will miss the start of the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup campaign through injury but are set to remain in the squad.

No.8 Read is set to miss the opening weeks of the tournament with a high ankle sprain suffered in the 25-20 defeat to Australia last Saturday while an elbow injury has ruled Thomson out of the opening match against Tonga.

"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," revealed All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson.

"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 stay in the 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.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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