Paris: Young All Blacks star Rieko Ioane is over a bout of mumps and will be fit to play France next Saturday, New Zealand rugby officials said.
The 20-year-old winger missed last weekend’s 31-22 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham after falling sick with the highly contagious glandular infection which is causing misery in New Zealand.
But sources with the All Blacks said on Monday Ioane was cured, even though he was separated from the rest of the squad during the team’s first training session in Paris.
“He had mumps last week but is better now,” the source confirmed.
Ioane has scored nine tries in his 10 Tests so far — six of which came as New Zealand swept to a second straight Rugby Championship title.
There is something of a mumps epidemic in New Zealand right now with 740 cases of mumps reported in Ioane’s home city of Auckland this year, their worst outbreak since 1994.
Meanwhile, Wales flanker Justin Tipuric and scrumhalf Rhys Webb are doubts for Saturday’s autumn series opener against Australia, defence coach Shaun Edwards has said.
Tipuric has a thigh injury while Webb is nursing a knee problem as Wales prepare for a busy schedule that also sees them face Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“We have a couple of knocks with Rhys Webb and Justin Tipuric,” Edwards told reporters on Monday.
“We will wait until the last minute until we name the team on Thursday. We will give them as much time as possible before making an educated decision.
“They will have to take some part in training before Thursday to put their hands up for selection.”
Wales, who are looking to end a run of 12 defeats in a row to Australia, are running out of options at flanker with Sam Warburton, Ellis Jenkins and James Davies also on the sidelines with injury while Thomas Young has not been included in the squad.
Edwards said Wales would face a real challenge from Australia, who arrive on the back of victories over world champions New Zealand and 2019 World Cup hosts Japan.
“We all know what an unbelievable attacking threat Australia are, averaging 33 points a game,” he added.
“They are perennially a top-four ranked team, their attack is pretty prolific and they have a multitude of excellent backs.”
