Wales duo Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies ruled out of third Test against New Zealand
Wednesday 22 June 2016 10:37, UK
Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies have been ruled out of Wales' third Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.
The two players have flown home with Josh Turnbull after both picked up injuries in the 36-22 second Test defeat against the All Blacks last weekend.
Prop Jenkins, who has played 126 Tests for Wales and five for the British and Irish Lions, suffered a calf injury in that second Test in Wellington.
Lock Davies, who started the first Test, came off the bench in the second game but suffered a knee injury, the Wales Rugby Union revealed on Wednesday. It was his 56th Test.
Loose forward Turnbull, who has not featured in either Test, suffered a shoulder injury while playing against the Waikato Chiefs on June 14.
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Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde has played down the impact of losing two of his leading front five forwards.
Rob Evans is set to return to the loose head prop position vacated by Jenkins, while Jake Ball will take over as the second row replacement for Davies on the bench.
"We have got a fit and healthy squad, but we haven't got any room for any further injuries. We are pretty tight and the individuals who have been there or thereabouts throughout the tour are ready to step up," said McBryde.
"Gethin has been digging in, Bradley has been carrying his knee for a while and it is a similar situation with Josh with his shoulder. But now we are just excited to see how the other boys go.
"It is about building up for the last game, our last opportunity against the All Blacks. We have been exposed to them twice now and when you get that bit of familiarity it gives you greater confidence.
"We want to embrace this final Test and give a good account of ourselves. It's important we finish this tour well. I'm sure the All Blacks will be looking to ramp it up against us."
McBryde insists the side will stick with their new high-tempo game-plan that has managed to stretch Kieran Read's team on numerous occasions in the first two Tests.
"We've been pretty bold and the players have said they want to move on and evolve our game - it's good to see them embracing it. We are willing to change and to try different things," McBryde added.
"You saw that in the last game. Not everything came off, but we are trying and there has been quite a bit of evolution in our game. We are evolving, but not forgetting what has worked for us in the past.
"Our target is to produce a game which will challenge them. Hopefully, we can tighten up the areas which have cost us and make this Saturday as entertaining as the first two Tests."
A question mark also hangs over Wales centre Jamie Roberts for the match at Otago Regional Stadium amid concerns about possible after effects from his head clash with Malakai Fekitoa in the first minute last Saturday.
The 29-year-old underwent concussion checks at the time and is now going through the necessary protocols to allow him to return to action after admitting much of the game was a "blur".
Wales name their team for the third Test on Thursday morning.
