Bad break for Taranaki

No luck for Ireland: Taranaki forced to wait on their goalkicker for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup

Full-back Scott Ireland is in doubt for Taranaki's representative rugby season after breaking a leg playing club rugby in England.

Taranaki assistant coach Leo Crowley said the injury was a spiral fracture of both the tibia and fibula and the early prognosis was between six and twelve weeks to heal followed by a further six weeks of rehabilitation.

"That's basically the worst-case scenario," Crowley told the Waikato Times.

Ireland might be sidelined until at least the end of June.

He was about to sign with the Taranaki Rugby Football Union for the 2008 season.

"We didn't quite get there, but both sides had agreed and he was definitely coming home," said Crowley.

"It has set us back on our haunches a bit."

Crowley is optimistic Ireland will still get to pull on the amber and black jersey in this year's Air New Zealand Cup.

"There is a little bit of hope there yet and now it's a matter to see how [the bones] knit in the next few weeks," he said.

"He's naturally a fit guy and hopefully once the rehab gets under way he will bounce back to full fitness pretty quickly."

Ireland was leading points-scorer for Taranaki last season when he did the bulk of the goalkicking.

"We were looking at him to be a key component in our campaign this year," Crowley said.

"He had an outstanding year last year and we were hoping to have his experience around us this year."

Ireland's injury meant a backstop needs to be found, but Crowley said that would not be easy because a number of backs from last year were missing from this year's squad.

"If we end up moving one of the other boys around it leaves holes elsewhere," he said.

There are, however, plenty of candidates to take over the goalkicking.

Hurricanes midfield back, and new Taranaki signing, Willie Ripia is one while Shayne Austin, Ace Malo, Jack Cameron and Frazier Climo are experienced goalkickers.

Meantime, Crowley is happy with the progress the Taranaki squad has made heading into the new season.

"A lot of guys have been working extremely hard and making some huge gains in strength and power in the gym,' he said.

"Hopefully when they hit club rugby in a couple of weeks we will definitely see some good performances from them."

Crowley said what had impressed most was the good atmosphere within the squad.

"[Taranaki coach] Davey Gray is doing a great job and the boys are having plenty of fun."