I remember with Tokyo, Michael Boxall was initially named (along with Reid & Wood) as one of the 3 o/a players. Then his Minny MLS coach started saying he wasn't going, was 'injured' blah blah.
Hay said he was in talks with Minnesota and still hoped Boxall would come to Japan. By the time it was finally confirmed he wasn't, it was too late to replace him, according to the rules of the Tourney. From memory Matt Garbett got promoted from the 4 reserve players, NZ going into their games with just 2 o/a players.
Anyway there will be deadlines NZF need to work to, and if they are to name Payne, they will need to get medical advice that he's a high chance of being fit by the first game 24th July, only 3 weeks away now. So imagine it's been a busy day at Albany assessing Payne's hammy, and yeah chatting to Singh, Ingham, Roux, Kirwan, Tuiloma, Rufer or whoever is to be the alternative o/a guy if Payne won't be fit in time.
Doesn't explain the delay naming the Ferns team though. Maybe is again a few players under injury clouds. Fraser missed Utah's game on the weekend. Ali Riley hasn't played for months. Presumably it's Mayne's team to pick not Klimkova's?
Hay said he was in talks with Minnesota and still hoped Boxall would come to Japan. By the time it was finally confirmed he wasn't, it was too late to replace him, according to the rules of the Tourney. From memory Matt Garbett got promoted from the 4 reserve players, NZ going into their games with just 2 o/a players.
Anyway there will be deadlines NZF need to work to, and if they are to name Payne, they will need to get medical advice that he's a high chance of being fit by the first game 24th July, only 3 weeks away now. So imagine it's been a busy day at Albany assessing Payne's hammy, and yeah chatting to Singh, Ingham, Roux, Kirwan, Tuiloma, Rufer or whoever is to be the alternative o/a guy if Payne won't be fit in time.
Doesn't explain the delay naming the Ferns team though. Maybe is again a few players under injury clouds. Fraser missed Utah's game on the weekend. Ali Riley hasn't played for months. Presumably it's Mayne's team to pick not Klimkova's?