New Zealand flanker Matt Todd ruled out of semi-final against England

New Zealand have been dealt a blow ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England with flanker Matt Todd ruled out of the encounter with a shoulder injury.

According to All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, the 31-year-old sustained the injury quite a while back but it got worsened during the quarter-final against Ireland where he came off the bench in the 57th minute and was sin-binned in the closing stage.

“Matt Todd has hurt that shoulder again, so we’ll have to see how he goes,” said Hansen.

“It’s probably unlikely he’s going to be available.

“He dislocated it a wee while ago but got a bang on it yesterday, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Todd has played 24 Tests for New Zealand since his debut in 2013 and has scored three tries in it. He also featured in three games in the ongoing World Cup and was one of the try-scorer for the All Blacks during the quarter-final against Ireland.

The New Zealand boss also confirmed that Sam Cane did not sustain any injury and his substituion at half time was a tactical move.

Both England and New Zealand have faced each other 41 times with All Blacks winning 33 including the last six games between them while they also had a solitary draw in 1997.