Rugby: Scotland fall at first hurdle
Friday, 9 June 2000 13:49Scotland captain Andy Nicol faces an anxious wait to hear what part he will play in the remainder of the New Zealand tour after being stretchered off in a disastrous opening 42-16 defeat against the NZ Vikings in Whangarei.
The Glasgow Caledonians scrum-half appeared to fall heavily on his knee early in the second half at Okara Park, but later limped into the Scots' hotel on crutches complaining of severe bruising to his shin after returning from hospital. He will await a definitive diagnosis of the injury over the next 24 hours but must already be considered a doubtful starter for next Saturday's first major test against the New Zealand Maoris, before which the remainder of the squad will get a run-out in Tuesday's second match against East Coast/Poverty Bay in Gisborne.
Hooker Gordon Bulloch was reported to be ok after suffering a stunner to his neck, which forced him off early in the second half. The injuries aside, it was a demoralising opening to their seven-match tour by the Scots, who fielded two thirds of the likely Test line-up that will face the All Blacks twice later this month.
