Injured New Zealand vice captain Tana Umaga worked well at a light training session for the All Blacks today (Tuesday, 4 November), leaving the door open for selection in the team to play South Africa in the quarter final at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome this Saturday.
Umaga, who has made a remarkable recovery from a ruptured cruciate ligament suffered during the opening match against Italy on 11 October, trained with his left knee strapped but showed no obvious signs of discomfort.
All Black number 8 Jerry Collins and lock Chris Jack also took a full part in the training.
Collins was hit hard during the match against Wales on Sunday and is unlikely to be considered for the South Africa match because of rib soreness.
Jack has been sidelined since rolling his ankle in the Captain’s run for the match against Tonga but looks to have mended in time to be available for quarter final selection.
New Zealand will announce the team to play South Africa at 12:00 at the Collingwood Football Club on Wednesday, 5 November.