Boyd: Milner-Skudder could miss Lions series

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd thinks New Zealand full-back Nehe Milner-Skudder may struggle to prove his fitness in time to face the British and Irish Lions.

Milner-Skudder suffered a fractured foot during a Super Rugby defeat to Chiefs last month and was expected to be out for six weeks.

Boyd is unsure when the 26-year-old will be ready to return, though, with the first Test against the Lions to be played on June 24.

The Canes coach told New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB: “The solidification of the bone in his foot is slow. It’s a low blood-flow area, so it’s slow.

“We initially thought six weeks, so post the bye that’s coming up after Blues and Brumbies. He may be ready to come in at the back end of that, he may not.”

Boyd added: “He’s worked incredibly hard to keep fit and strong and healthy in other ways, but he’s got a wound that’s not helping him at the moment.

“I don’t think he would have played an awful amount of rugby, before they pick the All Blacks [squad].

“Whether that’s the preparation that the All Blacks want for that, it depends what sort of back three they’re looking for and who else is fit.

“I think [he] will be available, but he won’t have played a whole lot of rugby.”

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