All Blacks prop Owen Franks to miss rest of season

By AP
Published

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) All Blacks prop Owen Franks will miss the remainder of the 2017 rugby season because of an Achilles tendon injury.

Coach Steve Hansen said Franks would undergo surgery on Friday and would take no further part in the Rugby Championship or in New Zealand's end-of-year tour to Britain.

Hansen said Franks' return could be rushed but ''it's better to get it right and let him have a full recovery and a pre-season and get back for the Crusaders'' for next season's Super Rugby competition.

Winger Waiksake Naholo will miss Saturday's Rugby Championship test against Argentina with a head injury but three players - flanker Sam Cane, center Ryan Crotty and prop Wyatt Crockett - have been cleared to play.

New Zealand has won its first two matches in the Rugby Championship, beating Australia 54-34 and 35-29.