Vito passed fit for opener following injury scare

The much-vaunted New Zealand winger, Victor Vito, will be fit to play at the World Cup this weekend after "baffling" medical staff with the speed of his recovery from a calf injury. Vito was labelled the new Jonah Lomu after touching down a series of eye-catching scores on the IRB Sevens circuit last term. He graduated to the Wellington Hurricanes Super 14 franchise this term, but was summoned back into the sevens fold following a spate of injuries in the build up to the World Cup.

However, the curse then struck Vito himself during training in Dubai. Gordon Tietjens, the coach, summoned Julian Savea from New Zealand as cover, only for Vito to make an unexpected recovery. "We have had a few question marks over Victor for the last few days," said Tietjens. "He was diagnosed with a calf injury, and the scan revealed a tear. "But he has baffled all the medics and got through. He had a great fitness test [yesterday], so we are very happy."

It was not all good news for New Zealand though. Tu Umaga Marshall, the Wellington player, has missed out with a back injury, so Savea's trip has not been wasted. @Email:pradley@thenational.ae