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Hearts in mouths for All Blacks fans as fullback Ben Smith goes down
Last night’s 31-all draw in Dunedin thrilled many New Zealand fans until All Black fullback Ben Smith went down with what looked like a serious knee injury with just five minutes to go in the match.
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Smith fell awkwardly into a tackle after losing his footing on the surface, before being bent backward into a compromising position. His reaction gave no relief as he displayed his discomfort.
not good to see Ben Smith go off injured like that. We can only hope he isnt too badly injured. Fingers crossed. #HIGvCHI #WorldCupYear
— Kiwitalian Golfer (@kiwitaliano) May 4, 2019
Ben Smith. Please don't be a serious knee injury. #HIGvCHI pic.twitter.com/muRXifwb7o
— Vinny Dela Puente (@VmacNZ) May 4, 2019
Ben Smith – what a player. So crucial in every team he plays for. Hoping he's OK. 🙏🏼 #HIGvCHI #WorldCupwatch
— James McOnie (@JamesMcOnie) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Filiti2/status/1124603501017886720
God I hope Ben Smith is alright, world's best fullback, don't want him to miss the World Cup #HIGvCHI
— Gethin Pearce (@GethinPearce) May 4, 2019
After the match head coach Aaron Mauger was aware of a cut to his chin in the collision with Jacobson but believed Smith suffered a hamstring strain.
“He’s got a hamstring strain, and also got a laceration on his chin, so he’s just getting stitched up at the moment,” a disappointed Mauger told RugbyPass.
“We’ll know a bit more in the next couple of days.”
The scare comes after dual first-five fullback Damian McKenzie ruptured his ACL a few weeks, ruling him out of the World Cup and leaving the All Blacks short on depth in two key positions. A serious injury to Smith would all but cause a crisis for the team at fullback, with Jordie Barrett, David Havili and even Will Jordan firming to be starting options.
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Smith was influential in building the Highlanders 28-12 lead before a late Chiefs comeback saw the match drawn at 31-all.
Ben Smith interview ahead of Chiefs:
