Umaga targets rapid All Black comeback

NEW ZEALAND vice-captain Tana Umaga is making rapid progress from a ruptured knee ligament and believes he is on track for a return to action by the World Cup quarter-finals.

Umaga suffered the injury to his left leg just over a fortnight ago in the All Blacks' opening victory against Italy and his future in the tournament hung in the balance.

Coach John Mitchell feared the worst and Norm Maxwell was flown over to Australia as cover, but he spent the entire time on standby as Umaga embarked on a swift, and so far successful, recovery.