Rugby: Muliaina ruled out of World Cup

AUCKLAND: New Zealand full-back Mils Muliaina’s joy at notching up 100 Test appearances turned to bitter disappointment when he was ruled out of the rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury yesterday. Muliaina, 31, only the second All Black after current captain Richie McCaw to play in 100 Tests for New Zealand, was told he has a fractured left shoulder and needs six to eight weeks recovery time, thereby ruling him out of the tournament. Muliaina joined stand-in fly-half Colin Slade as the third All Black to be forced out of the tournament with injury following playmaker Dan Carter’s withdrawal earlier this month.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2011.