Lions prop Gethin Jenkins has revealed he may need surgery to safeguard his World Cup campaign.
The two-tour Lions prop has been plagued by a persistent calf problem which has limited him to just two of Wales’ 10 games this year.
But he has been passed fit to take on the All Blacks, in a reunited Lions front-row, at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow after undergoing intensive treatment this week.
But Jenkins acknowledges the calf problem, which is linked to a toe complaint, needs to be resolved once and for all with a World Cup looming on the horizon. And that could lead to a spell on the sidelines with surgery a possibility.
"There’s been a few meetings and conversations going on this week about what needs to be done with the World Cup in mind," said Jenkins.
"We will see over the next couple of weeks what happens there. Surgery has been talked about as an option. It’s definitely something I want sorted long term.
"It gets you down, I hate missing internationals and it’s been disappointing to miss two during this campaign.
"I was devastated to be ruled out on the morning of the Springboks game, even though I had a feeling I was going to be struggling. I tried to get through the fitness test, but deep down I knew I wasn’t right.
"I spent the day in the house watching the game, there is nothing worse than watching Wales on an international day and not being there.
"It does make you realise how much the jersey means to you, that you only have it for one game and that you have to make it count, because you never know when it could finish.
"I was gutted that the boys lost, but the next focus was to get back for this game and I am just chuffed that I will be on the pitch again.
"But I am happy to be back and concentrating on facing New Zealand. I was passed fit on Wednesday and I am feeling really good"
