Wales Rules Out George North From The Rest Of The Tour
The New Zealand Tour of Wales may not include George North in its lineup. North was ruled out after he suffered a hamstring injury in its losing game on Saturday with the All Blacks. The 24-year-old British and Irish Lions wing was injured while tackling Waisake Naholo at Eden Park. Wales was in the lead with 18 minutes left in the game.
Ospreys wing Keelan Giles was already called up by Wales to cover for North. The injury list of Wales has grown longer with North joining Dan Lydiate, Lloyd Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Paul James and Leigh Halfpenny. He already received treatment on the pitch before he was allowed to continue playing. However, he went down again after trying to stop Nathan Harris.
The performance of George North in Auckland was described by Coach Warren Gatland of Wales as outstanding. North was released from the team and will return to the UK for additional treatment. On the other hand, Gareth Anscombe may return to the team after suffering a knock to the hip during the bruising defeat of the team. Gatland said he may recover in a day or two.
Aside from Giles, the coach of Wales added scrum-half Aled Davies, flanker Ellis Jenkins, tight-head Aaron Jarvis and fly-half Rhys Patchell into the team for injury cover.
On the other hand, scrum-half Williams and prop James will return to the UK due to injuries. Flanker Lydiate injured his shoulder in a game against England last month forcing him out of the squad. The losing streak of Wales to the All Blacks was extended to 27 games. The last win of the team against the All Blacks was in 1953.
The Welsh will play against the All Blacks on Saturday in Wellington and on June 25 in Dunedin even as they are looking for their first win in New Zealand.