New Zealand's Cory Jane still in World Cup contention

New Zealand wing Cory Jane is still in contention for a World Cup place after scans cleared him of any serious damage to an ankle injury.

The 53-Test veteran was injured playing for the New Zealand Barbarians in their 34-17 victory over the Maori All Blacks and it was initially feared that he was set for a lengthy recovery.

However, Jane revealed on his Twitter account that the injury was not as serious as he first thought.

"Think I dodged a bullet," Jane wrote on Tuesday. "As bad as it was, it's only a nasty ankle sprain and nothing serious.

"Time to rehab, heal and pray," he wrote before adding "down but not done".

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The 32-year-old Jane, who has battled leg injuries for the latter part of the Super Rugby season, had been released by the All Blacks selectors to play for the New Zealand Barbarians to give him some game time before moving him back into the Test arena.

Jane's injury came after Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo had been ruled out of the World Cup with a broken leg following his Test debut against Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Christchurch.

The All Blacks won the match 39-18 last Friday and are scheduled to play the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday before playing two Tests against Australia to complete their build-up to the World Cup.

Watch New Zealand in action away to South Africa in the Rugby Championship live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm on Saturday.