By Jim Kayes
Conrad Smith's had eye surgery and the Hurricanes today revealed he's detached his eye retina and will be out for at least six weeks
That means the All Blacks’ centre will miss at least the first two tests of the Rugby Championship.
Smith had a strong finish in the Hurricanes’ dramatic win against the Chiefs two weeks ago but it was evident soon after the match that he had a problem with his left eye.
The Hurricanes skipper's since had two operations to repair the detached retina and is now out of action for at least six weeks.
It's a big blow for the All Blacks.
It's an injury former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville knows too well -he tore his retina in 2007 and was out with a detached retina a year later.
“About eight weeks i think but obviously quite frustrating because your limbs work pretty well and you can still run and all that kind of stuff, but in terms of what you can do, you can't do much,” says Somerville.
The concern for Smith and the All Blacks is that Somerville is still affected by the injury.
“I think my vision is still a bit blurry. Compared to what it used to be when they do the eye tests they say it's fine but I definitely notice a bit of a difference.”
Compounding Smith's absence is Sonny Bill Williams' departure to Japan leaving Ma'a Nonu as the only experienced test midfielder.
He debuted at centre; 55 of Nonu's 66 tests have been at second five.
Options at centre include Highlanders’ Tamati Ellison, who is a mid fielder, and Ben Smith who usually a fullback or wing.
Or another option is the Crusaders midfield of Robbie Fruean and Ryan Crotty.
“Yeah, absolutely I think both our centres, given the situation with centres nationally have an opportunity to prove to the selectors they're worthy of wearing an All Blacks,” says Crusaders’ backs coach Daryl Gibson.
Gibson wore that jersey in 19 tests and likes what he sees in Crotty.
“I like his explosive go forward that he gives us. He's certainly a very intelligent player and understands the game well. He'll never let you down in defence and he certainly has got a distribution game as well,” adds Gibson.
How the All Blacks cover Smith’s absence will be confirmed when the 28 players for the Four Nations are named on August 5.
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