Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 4-5

All the Super Rugby injuries in one place

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We are 4 weeks down and The Casualty Ward for Super Rugby Pacific is back for another edition. We are here week in, week out, to deliver all your injury news for the competition. We stay on top of all the latest news, with the added insights of our team's Physiotherapist and Podiatrist.

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New Injuries Round 4:

Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii (Waratahs) - Ruled out of action for six-to-eight weeks due to a hamstring injury in the warm-up. Source.
Corey Toole (Brumbies) - Is managing “upper leg tightness” so was pulled late. We have heard he has a 2cm quad tear. This doesn’t explain where the tear is, but it is likely a 1-2 week injury. Source.
Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies) - Sustained a hamstring injury during training so was pulled pregame. Expected back in rd 3-5 as of rd 5. Source.
Rhys Van Nek (Brumbies) - Got up slowly after looking like he got hit high, then was immediately subbed. Now confirmed as a thumb injury. Consulting a surgeon to determine a RTP time. Source.
Dan Nelson (Brumbies) - Fractured his fibula in his lower leg. Ruled out for the remainder of the season. Source.
James Slipper (Brumbies) - Rested in rd 5. Source.
Lachie Anderson (Reds) - Came off after 18 mins with a serious wrist injury trying to tackle Tualima. He went to hospital and has been out for an extended period of time. Source.
Josh Canham (Reds) - Looks like a right knee injury. His foot was planted and he twisted over it in a ruck. Needed to be assisted off by two people. Could be a bad ligament injury.
Epeli Momo (Drua) - Listed as having a hamstring injury. Source.
Kavaia Tagivetaua (Drua) - Listed as having a ankle injury. Source.
Vaiolini Ekuasi (Force) - Picked up a quad injury in rd 4. Listed as a short term injury. Source.

Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Came off and failed an HIA that pinged on his mouth guard.
Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs) - Lasted two minutes as an injury replacement before coming off with his own concussion.
Benet Kumeroa (Chiefs) - Went down with a right ankle injury in the first half. He could walk (so shouldn’t be fractured), but he needed to be helped off the field. My gut says 6 weeks.
Solomon Alaimalo (Moana) - Failed his HIA, so will need to go through concussion protocols.
Augustine Pulu (Moana) - Came off at half-time for a debutant. We can’t help but think it must have been for an injury. Watch this space.
Jonah Lowe (Highlanders) - Came off late with what looked like a left shoulder anterior dislocation. Interestingly, he is only meant to be out for 1-2 weeks. Source.
Ngani Punivai (Highlanders) - Listed as having a hamstring injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Jamie Hannah (Crusaders) - Limped off with an ankle injury. Due back rd 7-8. Source.
Corey Kellow (Crusaders) - Picked up a rib injury. Back in rd 7-8. Source.
Toby Bell (Crusaders) - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Taha Kemara (Crusaders) - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Dom Gardiner (Crusaders) - Picked up an ankle and knee injury in rd 4. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Aki Tuivailala (Crusaders) - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Ruled out pregame as a precautionary measure for a minor injury. Source.
Peter Ahki (Blues) - Got his right leg caught awkwardly and limped off. Seemed to be pointing at his Syndesmosis, which fits the injury mechanism. They also seemed concerned with his right knee. We know he talked about having bad cartilage damage in his knees on the What a Lad podcast.

Likely Back for Round 5:

Ben Volavola (Reds) - Played for the dev team in rd 4 so should be available. Source.
Tim Ryan (Reds) - Expected back after being rested last week. Source.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - Back after being rested for rd 4. Source.
Nick Frost (Brumbies) - Played Brumbies runners last week. Starting again this week. Source.
Harry Potter (Waratahs) - Picked up a toe injury before rd 4, returns via the bench this week. Source.
Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua) - Came off at half time in rd 2 with a hip injury. Due back this week. Source.
Isikeli Rabitu (Drua) - Limped off in rd 3 but recovered to start this week.

Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Was rested for rd 4. Source.
Cole Forbes (Blues) - Walked off with a minor limp due to a left ankle injury in rd 3. Back starting this week.
Payton Spencer (Blues) - Was knocked out in the trial against the Hurricanes on Jan 30th. No longer listed as injured this week. Source.
Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) - Concussed in rd 3. Out for a minimum of 12 days but wasn’t named in rd 5. Also not listed as injured either. Source.
Kini Naholo (Hurricanes) - Expected to return from his ACL Recon (in mid-May) by rd 4 to 6. Played in the runners in rd 4 so should be ready to go. Source.
Caleb Delany (Hurricanes) - Was expected back from a calf injury around rd 4 but starting this week. Source.
Ruben Love (Hurricanes) - Sustained an ankle injury while training with the squad in the lead-up to round 1. Back on the bench a little earlier than last week. Source.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Was expected back from a thumb injury in rd 2. Finally makes his comeback on the bench this week.
William Havili (Moana) - Suffered a neck strain in rd 2. Back starting this week.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Failed an HIA in rd 3, back starting this week.
Tito Tuipulotu (Moana) - Pulled pregame with an injury in rd 3, returns at startight loosehead this week.
Julian Savea (Moana) - Listed as having a groin injury as of rd 4, no longer listed as injured. Source.
Konrad Toleafoa (Moana) - Missed rd 4 with a neck injury. No longer listed as injured.
Hugh Renton (Highlanders) - Had off-season surgery. No longer listed as injured in rd 3 so might be returning via their development side. Source.
Taine Robinson (Highlanders) - Out with a back injury. Was expected back around now and he is no longer listed as injured. Source.

Returned in Round 4:

Folau Fainga’a (Waratahs) - Started after recovering from a concussion.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (Western Force) - Recovered from his rd 1 knee injury.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Returned via the bench.

Kyle Preston (Crusaders) - Returned from his concussion via the bench.
Rivez Reihana (Crusaders) - Back after only missing two weeks with his adductor strain.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Started after recovering from a a rib injury in rd 2.
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) - Made his first appearance coming back from a calf injury.
Jahrome Brown (Chiefs) - Recovered from his concussion.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Played his first game after sitting out the start of the season.
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs) - Missed the last two weeks due to the birth of his son.
Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Returned from his resting protocol. Drafted intom the starting lineup late.
Andrew Knewstubb (Highlanders) - Was expected back from a quad muscle injury in rd 4 but wasn’t named in the 23.
Angus Ta’avao (Highlanders) - Back from compassionate leave after the death of his son.
Augustine Pulu (Moana) - Returned this week from a calf injury.
Glen Vaihu (Drua) - Back at fullback after being pregame with an injury last week.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Tom Wright - Expected to be sidelined until at least May as he recovers from an ACL injury he suffered against South Africa in August. A standard return to play date would be 9 months, although it can vary between 6-12 months. Source.
Lachlan Lonergan - Tore his ACL on the 9th of July playing for the Brumbies against the Lions. A nine-month return would put him back around April, but he returned to full training on the 9th of Jan, so we believe he is well ahead of that date. Source.
Allan Alaalatoa - Will miss the start of the Super season due to a back injury that has plagued him since the back end of last year. Apparently, his scan doesn’t give a single clear reason for his symptoms. As of rd 4, he says he has started Scrum work but still has no clear return date yet. Source.

Reds
Tate McDermott - Suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery against the All Blacks in late September. In an interview during rd 3 he said he had a little setback and would be back in 2-3 months (so sometime in May). Source.
Massimo De Lutiis - Listed as injured since before rd 1. No info on what it is. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured in rd 1. Source.
Nicholas Conway - Listed as injured in rd 4. Source.
Will Ross - Listed as injured in rd 3. Source.
Matt Faessler - Came off early in rd 3 with knee ligament damage (we assume MCL or LCL). They have said he could miss up to four or five weeks. Source.
Hunter Paisami- Listed as injured as of rd 4. Apparently he has an ankle injury. Source.
Tom Lynagh - Hasn’t played since the Lions series as he deals with concussion and hamstring issues. Was originally aiming to be back for rd 4 but is said to be in the frame again from rd 5. Source.

Waratahs
Angus Scott-Young - Fractured his eye socket in an altercation with Miles Amatosero. We’d have thought he was out for another couple of weeks with this one, but he is now listed as being out with a calf injury. Source.
Austin Durbidge - Did have a forearm injury. Changed to appendicitis in rd 5. Source.
Eamon Doyle - Currently out as of rd 5 with an ankle injury. Source.

Western Force
Doug Philipson - Missed the preseason with a knee injury, and still listed as a long-term injury in rd 1. Source.
Feao Fotuaika - Missed the first trial with a foot injury. Considered a medium-term injury as of rd 1. Source.
Alex Harford - Left the field in the trial against the Reds on Jan 23rd, holding his arm or shoulder in his jersey. Listed as a long-term injury in rd 3. Source.
Dylan Pietsch - Out with a plantar fascia injury. Hopefully going to return after their NZ trip and the rd 6 bye. Source.

NEW ZEALAND

Blues
Patrick Tuipulotu - Missed the All Blacks’ northern tour as he recovers from AC (shoulder) surgery in October. His current return is aimed at rd 9. Source.
Corey Evans - Missing rd 1 to 5 with an ankle injury. No confirmation on a return date. Source.
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 5 with a concussion. No return date set yet. Source.
Josh Fusitu’a - Came off at halftime in rd 2. We now know it was for an elbow injury. Source.
Flyn Yates - Listed as injured from rd 3 with a neck injury. Source.
Bradley Slater - Listed as out with an abdominal injury for rd 4. Source.

Chiefs
Isaac Hutchinson - Recovering from a knee injury. Aiming to return in round 8. Source.
Jared Proffit - In rd 3 he went for an HIA late in the game. No word on whether he passed or failed it but he didn’t play rd 4. Sounds a good chance to return after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Luke Jacobson - Listed as injured with a groin injury as of rd 4. Return date is currently tbc. Sounds a good chance to return after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Wallace Sititi - Out as of rd 4 with a hamstring injury. Sounds a good chance to return after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Xavier Roe - Listed as injured with an ankle injury as of rd 4. Return date is currently tbc. Source.
Brodie McAlister - Suffered a broken hand at training in the last week of January. Set to sideline him for the first three rounds which means he should be back after the rd 5 bye. Source.

Crusaders
Scott Barrett - Still finalising his return date from the sabbatical, but his intention is to return sometime in May. Source.
Maloni Kunawave - Came off with a hamstring injury in the trial on the 30th of Jan. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Johnny McNicholl - Out with a hamstring injury. Was aiming to return in rd 5, now listed as rd 8-10. Source.
Liam Jack - Out with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 9-11. Source.
Cooper Roberts - Out with a Fibula injury. Aiming to return in rd 8-10. Source.
Cullen Grace - Currently has a knee injury. Still no set return date yet. Source.
Macca Springer - Out with a Quad injury. Was meant to return for rd 3, now extended to rd 9-11. Source.
Mitch Drummond - Recovering from a concussion. Still unavailable in rd 4. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Still recovering from hip injury as of rd 4. Return date is rd 7. Source.
George Bell - Had to be helped off the field after making a tackle in rd 3. Confirmed as a foot injury. Due back rd 7-9. Source.
Tamaiti Williams - Suspended for three weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play in his team’s win over the Chiefs in rd 3. So should return in rd 8 after their bye.

Highlanders
Finn Hurley - Has a “stress around his foot”, which sounds like a stress fracture. Originally expected back in rd 5, now pushed back to rd 9. Source.
Jake Te Hiwi - Returning from surgery, back on the field again but still a little way off by the sounds of it on Feb 3rd. Source.
Saula Ma’u - Carrying a shoulder injury. Expected back in rd 8. Source.

Hurricanes
Tom Allen - Expected back from a leg for rd 2. Source.
Josh Timu - Out with a foot injury. Expected back rd 10-12. Source.
Jai Tamati - Looks to have picked up an ankle injury after rd 2. Expected back rds 11-13. Source.
Taine Roiri - Has a hamstring injury. Aiming to be back in rd 10. Source.
Tony Tafa - Has a concussion in rd 5. Expected back rd 6. Source.

PASIFIKA TEAMS

Fijian Drua
Meli Derenalagi - Expected to miss the bulk of the season due to a 2nd ACL injury he suffered in April 2025. He could return at 9 months (late Jan), but it is more likely he is closer to 12 months, given it is his 2nd ACL injury. Source.
Mesulame Dolokoto - Was name dropped in rd 3 commentary that he is expected to return from his knee injury after the rd 4 bye. Source.
Meli Tuni - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a knee injury. Source.
Simione Kuruvoli - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Aisea Nawai - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a leg injury. Source.
Temo Mayanavanua - Right knee injury in rd 2. Will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Source.

Moana Pasifika
Jimmy Tupou - Currently unavailable to due an elbow injury. No return date announced. Source.
Israel Leota - Came off in rd 2 with an ankle sprain. Source.
Jonathan Taumateine - Picked up a knee injury in rd 3. Source.
Melani Matavao - Picked up a calf injury in rd 3. Source.
Tupou Afungia - Recovered from a neck injury, but suffered a concussion in rd 3.

Gone for the season:

Dylan Pledger (Highlanders) - Ruled out of all rugby for the year following a training ground accident that resulted in a complete rupture of his ACL in January. Source.
Fabian Holland (Highlanders) - Now confirmed he dislocated his right shoulder while trying to pilfer during a ruck on the 6th of Feb. Confirmed he will be out for the full Super Rugby season with an aim to return in the July international window. Source.
Harry Godfrey (Hurricanes) - Expected to miss the 2026 Super Rugby season due to an ACL injury. Source.
Brett Cameron (Hurricanes) - Stretchered off with a right knee injury. They haven’t told us what the injury is, but it was confirmed during rd 3 that he is having surgery and is out for the season. Source.
Cam Christie (Blues) - Hobbled off with a knee ligament injury in the Jan 30th trial. Now confirmed, he is out for the season. Source.

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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.