Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 4-5

The Super Rugby Pacific round 4 is finished. As always, the Casualty Ward is here to deliver all your injury news. 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:

Jake Gordon (Waratahs) - Came off with a knee injury in rd 4. Expecting him to be out for a month. They think it is an MCL injury. Source.
Langi Gleeson (Waratahs) - Came off with a leg injury, suspected to just be a cork. Will play off the bench. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs) - Missing rd 5 due to a knee injury. Source.
Miles Amatosero (Waratahs) - Listed as out with a back injury. Source.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Came off with a knee injury. Source.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (Force) - Missing rd 5 due to a concussion. Source.
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Pulled from the bench a day before rd 4. Back for rd 5. Source.
Liam Wright (Reds) - Has irritated the shoulder he had operated on late last year. Going for scans, but at this stage they are saying it is just a precaution. Source.

Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Fractured his right hand in rd 4. Will miss at least two weeks, but they are saying most likely 4 weeks. Source.
Ricky Riccitelli (Blues) - Missing rd 5 with a chest injury. Source.
Ardie Savea (Moana) - Came off at half time because his hammy’s tightened up. Sounds precautionary so hopefully he doesn’t miss next week.
Danny Toala (Moana) - Came off after having his legs chopped in a tackle. We think it is a knee injury but it could also possibly be a cork. See the video here.
Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs) - Failed his HIA, so will go through concussion protocols.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - Injured his hamstring in rd 4. No return date set yet. Source.
Siale Lauaki (Hurricanes) - Suffered a Rib injury. No return date set yet. Source.

Likely Back for Round 5:

Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) - Suffered a concussion in rd 1. Named to return this week. Source.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Returns from his high tackle ban this weeks having completed tackle school. Source.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Returns from his minor injury to replace an injured Liam Wright. Source.
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Pulled from the bench a day before rd 4. Back for rd 5. Source.
Iosefo Masi (Drua) - Returns after missing rd’s 3 and 4 due to an ankle sprain. Source.
Vilive Miramira (Drua) - Returns from injury this week. Source.
Divad Palu (Force)- Returns from a rd 2 shoulder injury this week. Source.
Atu Moli (Force) - Returns after being pulled late pregame rd 2. No clarity on why he was out.

Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Came off with a broken nose in rd 2. Returns this week. Source.
Rivez Reihana (Crusaders) - Out with an ankle injury. Was hoping to be back after the bye, but has been pushed back to rd 5. Source.
Seb Calder (Crusaders) - Suffered an AC joint injury (shoulder) against the Blues in the first 20 minutes of their trial. His return has been pushed back to rd 5. Source.
Quinten Strange (Crusaders) - Out with a pec and hamstring tear, Aiming for rd 5. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Crusaders) - Injured his MCL injury in his knee which he sustained in the last trial on Feb 6th. Will miss 5-6 weeks, so he will return around round 5. Source.
Jamie Hannah (Crusaders) - Out as he recovers from shoulder surgery for the first 5-7 weeks. Source.
Aki Tuivailala (Crusaders) - Out with Finger surgery. Expected back after 5 weeks. Source.
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) - Named fit last week, but selected for the first time this week.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) - Missed the final trial with a shoulder injury. Played for the Bravehearts in rd 2. Should be available for this week if selected. Source.
Josh Whaanga (Highlanders) - Has a back injury. will be back in rd 5. Source.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Taking the field this week for the first time after recovering from his ankle injury. Source.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Left the field with a right knee injury after hyperextending it late. Apparently just bone bruising. Cleared to play rd 5. Source.
Raymond Tuputupu (Hurricanes) - Came off early with a concussion in rd 3. A standard progression through the return to play protocol would have him back in rd 5. Source.
Kade Banks (Hurricanes) - Came off early with a concussion in rd 3. A standard progression through the return to play protocol would have him back in rd 5. Source.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Returning via the bench after recovering from a stress fracture. Source.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Recovered from foot surgery to take his place on the bench. Source.
Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes) - Returns from an Achilles injury this week after being listed as TBC only one week ago. Source.
Dalton Papali’i (Blues) - Suffered a concussion in rd 3. Named to play rd 5. Source.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Currently out with a calf injury, expected back for rd 5. Source.
Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) - Suffered a cheek injury in rd 2. As of rd 4 he is listed as a leg injury. Returning to the starting side this week. Source.
Kurt Eklund (Blues) - Returning from a groin injury this year. Source.

Returned in Round 4:

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Reds) - Missed the UK tour with a knee injury. Made his comeback via the bench.
Sio Tomkinson (Force) - Back from his rd 2 concussion.
Jeremy Williams (Force) - Back from his rd 2 concussion.
Feao Fotuaika (Brumbies) - Suffered an ankle injury in rd 1. Came back via the bench this week.
David Feliuai (Brumbies) - Played his first game after recovering from his finger injury.
Tom Hooper (Brumbies) - Back from his rd 2 concussion.
Rory Scott (Brumbies) - Retured after bing pulled pregame rd 2.
Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua) - Had a shoulder reconstruction in the off season. Started in his first comeback of the year.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Returned from his ankle injury.
Joey Walton (Waratahs) - Returned from his groin injury.

Fletcher Newell (Crusaders) - Back from his rd 2 concussion.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Tore his hamstring in preseason training in late Jan. Started in his first game of the year.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Back from his rd 2 concussion.
Ruben Love (Hurricanes) - Underwent Ankle Surgery around the 18th of December. Returned to start rd 4.
Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) - Played in Japan to start the year. Played his first game off the bench this week.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Rob Valetini - “Tweaked” his hamstring in January during training. Back into full training before rd 5 so they are hopeful he plays rd 6. Source.
Ben O’Donnell - Out with a hamstring injury as of 12th Feb. Return date is TBC but considered a long term injury. Source.
Tevita Alatini - Out with an ACL injury as of 12th Feb. Return date is TBC but considered a long term injury. Source.
Harry Vella - Out with an ACL injury as of 12th Feb. Return date is TBC but considered a long term injury. Source.
Tuaina Taii Tualima - Pulled from the bench pregame rd 2 with Dengue fever from his Fiji trip., his return date is listed as TBC. Source.

Reds
Matt Gibbon - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Isaac Henry - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Mason Gordon - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Will miss at least the first six weeks as he recovers from a small crack on his fibula. Source.
Jock Campbell - Suffered a wrist/ forearm injury right at the end of Rd 2. Consulting a specialist but won’t be available for round 3, and is likely to miss rounds 4 and 5. Source.
Josh Flook- Limped off with a hamstring injury in rd 3. Source.

Waratahs
Fergus Lee-Warner - Injured his foot in Japan over three months ago and won’t be available to start the season. We aren’t sure how long he is out for. Source.
Angelo Smith - We have heard that he hasn’t been at Waratahs training which would rule him out, but we aren’t completely sure if this is accurate.
Lucas Ripley - Out with a shoulder injury as of round 1. Source.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - Out of rd 3 with a toe injury to his plantar plate. They aren’t 100% sure of his return date, but are guessing he will miss rounds 4 and 5. Source.
Lalakai Foketi - Picked up a groin injury in rd 3. Source.

Western Force
Kurtley Beale - Ruptured his Achilles on the 29th of June last year playing club footy for Randwick. He has been given a contract with the Force while he finishes rehab, which normally takes 7-9 months. A conservative return would have him playing around the beginning of April. Source.
Papillon Sevele - Out with a knee injury. We aren’t sure how long he will be out for. Source.
Bayley Kuenzle - August 2024 it was said he was set to miss almost a year through a serious knee injury (we assume an ACL rupture). Even a 9-month return would have him back around April. Source.
Matt Proctor - Out with a shoulder injury. No clarity on a return date. Source.

NEW ZEALAND
Blues
PJ Sheck - Currently out with a shoulder injury. Source.
Zarn Sullivan - Currently out with a foot injury. Source.
Taufa Funaki - Came off with a shoulder injury in rd 2. Looked like a dislocated shoulder to us. If we are right it means he will be out for a minimum of six weeks, a maximum of the full season and an operation.
James Mullan - Suffered a concussion in rd 3. Still out for rd 5. Source.
Adrian Choat - Came off with a knee injury in rd 2.
Ben Ake - Still suffering from a shoulder injury despite having previously been cleared. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu - Given a red card for his high shot on Lakai in rd 3. Will likely only miss 2 rounds if he goes through tackle school.
Reon Paul - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. Source.

Chiefs
Wallace Sititi - Is set to miss a major part of the Super Rugby campaign after suffering a knee injury in the Autumn Series, with fears he could be out for the entire season. He had an operation on his meniscus on the 17th of January. Source.
Liam Coombes Fabling - Suffered a knee injury. Out for 4-6 weeks as of rd 2 (aiming for rd 8). Source.
Fiti Sa - Has a long-term shoulder injury as of rd 2. Source.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Has a shoulder injury. Listed as a short term injury as of rd 2. Source.
Kaleb Trask - As of rd 3 it is a Hamstring injury. Aiming to return in 4-6 weeks (earliest return rd 8). Source.
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Suffered a hamstring tear in rd 1, considered a long term injury. Source.
Josh Lord - Suffered a knee injuryin rd 3. Before rd 5 they said he would be out for 4-6 weeks. Source.

Crusaders
Noah Hotham - Suffered an ankle injury early in rd 1 and had to come off. The mechanism made it look like a syndesmosis injury. In rd 5 they have said he will be back in 3-4 weeks. Source.
Johnny McNicholl - Out with a hamstring tear. As of rd 5 his return has been pushed back another 3-5 weeks. Source.
Dom Gardiner - Out with a hamstring injury. Originally aiming for rd 5, but not they are saying rd 8. Source.

Highlanders
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens - Suffers fractured neck in Ranfurly Shield win in early October which required surgery. Source. They are targeting a return in round 9-10. Source.
Cameron Millar - Suffered a sickening head clash with Danny Toala in rd 3. Now aiming to return for rds 6 or 7. Source.
Oliver Haig - Out with a foot injury. Expected back rd 9-10. Source.
Jonah Lowe - Out with a ACL injury. Expected back rd 7-8. Source.
Daniel Lienert-Brown - Got a red card for his clean-out on Funaki in rd 2. He was banned for 3 weeks with the chance to drop a week if he completes tackle school. So should be back rd 6 (he has a bye in rd 4). Source.
Folau Fakatava - Was ruled out on Thursday before rd 3 with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected back until rd 6-7. Source.
Finn Hurley - Pulled pregame rd 3 with a quadriceps injury. Expected back in rd 6 or 7. Source.
Hugh Renton - Out with a groin injury. Due back rd 6 or 7. Source.

Hurricanes
Lucas Cashmore - Has a significant MCL injury that will sideline the Blues recruit until rd 7 (better than the initial expectation of rd 10). Source.
Tjay Clarke - Out with a shoulder injury and targetting a rd 9 return. Source.
Daniel Sinkinson - Has a hamstring injury. Won’t be back until round 8. Source.
Devan Flanders - Out with a suspected broken leg from training (they called it an ankle injury which makes me worry it is a fracture dislocation that will keep him out for a long time). Now targetting rd 14. Source.
Riley Higgins - Apparently broke his hand in two places days before rd 1. Had surgery on Friday 14th Feb and is expected to return in rd 7. Source.
Billy Proctor - Has an Achilles injury that kept him out of the first 4 weeks. He is training with the team so it isn’t a tendon tear, which means he has a tendinopathy (overload pathology). On the 25th of Feb they said he would be back soon. Source.

PASIFIKA TEAMS

Fijian Drua
Epeli Momo - Out with a knee injury before rd 1, considered a long-term injury. Source.
Peni Ravai - Came off late in rd 2 with a back injury. Source.

Moana Pasifika
Julian Savea - Out as of rd 3 with a knee injury. Source.
Sione Havili Talitui - Out as of rd 3 with an ankle injury. Source
Fine Inisi - Listed as injured before round 1 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Tito Tuipulotu - Picked up a knee injury in rd 3. Source.

Gone for the season:

Harry Johnson-Holmes (Force) - Recovered from his Achilles rupture. Then tore his ACL warming up to play the trial against the Brumbies. Won’t play the entire season. Source.
Harry Hoopert (Force) - Is recovering from an ACL injury and won’t play any Super Rugby in 2025. Source.

Neria Fomai (Moana) - Will miss the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season recovering from an ACL reconstruction. Source.
Tom Sanders (Highlanders) - Unavailable for the 2025 season due to injury. Source.
Josh Timu (Highlanders) - Unavailable for the 2025 season due to injury. Source.
Brett Cameron (Hurricanes) - He is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in the recent NPC season, he is expected to miss the full Super Rugby season. Source.
Finlay Brewis (Crusaders) - One of two props who suffered a shoulder injury against the Blues in the first 20 minutes of their trial. Needs surgery, so he will be out for the season. Source.
George Bell (Crusaders) - Injured his big toe in their trial on 6th Feb. Will require surgery to his plantar plate and is expected to be out for the season. Will be out for 16-20 weeks. Source.
Sam Darry (Blues) - Will miss the Blues‘ entire Super Rugby Pacific season due to a shoulder injury sustained at the end of January. He will need shoulder surgery and will be out for 5 months. Source.
Rameka Poihipi (Chiefs) - Scans have confirmed a serious enough knee injury in rd 2 that he will miss the remainder of the season. So we assume it is in ACL tear. Source.

Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.