Fruean 'heartache' mars Round One
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:53
Canterbury begin the defence of their national provincial title - the newly-named ITM Cup, against Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Friday, without star centre Robbie Fruean.
Fruean is unavailable due to an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), which was first picked up on Monday. He has been assessed in a Christchurch Hospital and will continue to be monitored to determine when he will be able to return to the game.
Two years ago, soon after helping New Zealand win the Under-19 world title, Fruean was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a life-threatening heart condition. He had a new heart valve attached that enabled him to continue breathing and, miraculously, return to the playing field.
Canterbury are preparing for a big challenge from a Hawke's Bay team which made the semifinals last season.
Canterbury head coach Rob Penney said: "We know they will be up for this game and it's up to us to counter that. We're confident we'll put in a pretty good performance."
The other feature of the opening week is that neither of the high-profile French imports, Sonny Bill Williams and Tana Umaga, who both returned to New Zealand after a stint with Toulon in France, may play for their provinces this week.
The former Toulon teammates have been the pre-season headline acts, generating the sort of interest that few, if any, player has ever managed in the lead-up to New Zealand's domestic competition showpiece.
Former National Rugby League glamour boy-turned-pariah Williams wants to play for the All Blacks and has chosen two-time champions Canterbury as his best pathway to the season-ending tour and a possible crack at contesting next year's World Cup.
However, a knee niggle means the drawn-out wait to see if Williams can cut it in the New Zealand game must wait until a few weeks into August before he trots out, probably wearing No.12 or No.13 on his back.
Umaga, 37, returned after a three-year break in France, keen to give something back to the New Zealand game.
However, Umaga is a doubtful starter for Counties-Manukau in their match against Otago in Pukekohe on Saturday. Steelers head coach Milton Haig said Umaga did not train this week and was looking doubtful for Saturday. He was feeling the effects of two hard pre-season games.
For all the Round One teams, CLICK HERE!
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