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New Zealand v Ireland, Christchurch
All Blacks suffer Vito blow
ESPN Staff
June 12, 2012
Victor Vito is set for a spell on the sidelines
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All Blacks flanker Victor Vito has been ruled out of the June Tests and faces five weeks on the sidelines. Vito has suffered a grade two medial strain in his left knee and will miss the second and third Tests against Ireland. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed that Adam Thomson will take Vito's blindside spot on Saturday with Sam Cane providing cover on the bench. Chiefs flanker Liam Messam has been placed on standby. The news will come as a huge blow to Vito who had hoped to tie down the blindside berth with Jerome Kaino absent. Vito said: "I can't lie, it's pretty gutting but at the end of the day I can only take hold of the controllables and that's look after my recovery and have a really good attitude about doing what I can to get back as soon as and just help the team where I can." With Keith Earls already ruled out of the second Test, Ireland are optimistic that the rest of the squad will be fit for the match in Christchurch. Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal said that injured trio Cian Healy, Declan Fitzpatrick and Mike Ross should "all be fine". © ESPN EMEA Ltd
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