All Blacks' Owen Franks sidelined with shoulder injury

by The TRU Team Monday 29 April 2019

Owen Franks suffered the injury during the game against Brumbies on 6th April

©PA

Crusaders prop Owen Franks has been sidelined for a month following a shoulder injury that he suffered during the Super Rugby game against Brumbies on 6th April.

The Canterbury based club are currently on the top of the New Zealand Conference and are favourites to win the title for the third consecutive time with the 31-year-old expected to be part of the tail end of the competition after a surgery option was ruled out.

Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan confirmed the news on the New Zealand international.

"The good thing is it doesn't require surgery, so it will be a good rehab process," said Ryan. "It's obviously a relief for everyone.

"It was touch and go there for a bit. Get him back in a month, all going well.

"He's got a good rehab plan for the next four weeks, and all going well that's when he will return to play."

Franks has played 106 Tests for New Zealand and is one of only twenty dual Rugby Union World Cup winners when the All Blacks clinched the title during the 2011 and 2015 editions.