Time running out for injured Umaga

TANA UMAGA’S World Cup future will become clearer tomorrow when the New Zealand management make a “more definite decision” on his badly injured left knee.

The All Blacks' vice-captain ruptured his posterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's 70-7 victory over Italy and his future participation in the tournament hangs in grave doubt.

The medics have been waiting on the swelling to subside before making a more genuine assessment of whether the 30-year-old stands any chance of featuring again in the tournament.

Head coach John Mitchell insisted he wanted to give Umaga as much time as possible to recover, but the protocol within the All Blacks squad is that he would need at least a week of preparation before being considered for selection.

Mitchell would not give a deadline by which Umaga must be available to remain in the squad, but any possible match be it the quarter-finals or beyond will become clearer tomorrow following the medics' latest assessments.

Umaga's spot at outside centre for Friday's Pool D clash with Canada has been taken by Ma'a Nonu, who replaced him with impressive effect against the Italians.

In the Italian camp, the IRB's vows to invest money on world rugby's middle tier will have been met with hearty applause, especially as they are acutely aware just how wide the gap is between themselves and the world's heavyweights.

Italy's 70-7 defeat by New Zealand last Saturday left many Azzurri fans questioning whether they had actually made any progress at all in the 16 years since the inaugural World Cup.

After all, their opening game in 1987 was a virtual carbon copy, with the All Blacks running in 11 tries and winning 70-6 though it should be noted that in those days tries were worth only four points.

Team manager Marco Bollesan, who was coach when Italy accepted the invitation to the 1987 World Cup, explained that while Azzurri rugby had moved forward, the gap remained just as wide.

"There has been a substantial improvement in the game since that result in 1987," he said. "But the gap between a lot of the teams and New Zealand hasn't narrowed."

Elsewhere, Samoa coach John Boe believes Uruguay are targeting a shock World Cup victory over his South Sea Islanders in tomorrow night's Pool C clash at Subiaco Oval.

The Samoans make their tournament bow, while Uruguay are smarting from a 72-6 thumping against South Africa three days ago.

On paper, Samoa should be far too strong for 'Los Teros', but Boe is taking nothing for granted.

"They will be a different team against us, because they will be targeting us. They will definitely have the objective of going home with two victories, and they will be looking at us for one of those wins."