13 Jun 2012

Vito to miss rest of test series against Ireland

11:22 am on 13 June 2012

The All Blacks flanker Victor Vito will miss the rest of the series against Ireland having been ruled out with a knee injury.

Vito suffered knee ligament damage in Saturday's first test win and is likely to be out for up to five weeks.

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Adam Thomson will replace Vito in the starting lineup for the second test in Christchurch this weekend with Chiefs flanker Sam Cane coming into the reserves.

Hansen says they won't call in another loose forward to the squad for the remaining two tests at this stage although Chiefs forward Liam Messam will train with the squad when they head to Hamilton next week for the third test.

The number eight Kieran Read is fit and available.