Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 8-9
All the Super Rugby injuries in one place
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New Injuries Round 8:
Sairusi Ravudi (Drua) - Failed his HIA. Will go through the concussion protocols and miss at least 12 days.
Peni Ravai (Drua) - Limped off after 79 minutes with an injury.
Allan Craig (Drua) - Suffered a concussion, going through his return to play protocols. Source.
Nathan Hastie (Force) - Pulled pregame with a rib complaint. Listed as a short term injury. Source.
Darcy Swain (Force) - Missed rd 9 due to illness. Source.
Ronan Leahy (Force) - Missing rd 9 with a knee injury. Listed as a medium term injury. Source.
Zac Lomax (Force) - Pulled pregame with a tight hamstring. Given it is just hamstring tightness, he has been named to play rd 9.
Tom Robertson (Force) - Came off as a category 1 concussion. Will go through the concussion protocols and miss at least 12 days.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Subbed at halftime. No confirmation if it was an injury or tactical but he has been named again in rd 9.
Darby Lancaster (Force) - Came down from taking a highball very awkwardly on his ankle. Had to be helped off the field. Return date is TBC. Source.
Albert Alcock (Force) - Listed as having a short term quad injury as of rd 9. Source.
Treyvon Pritchard (Reds) - Failed his HIA so will go through the concussion protocols and miss at least 12 days.
Josh Nasser (Reds) - Failed his HIA so will go through the concussion protocols and miss at least 12 days.
Teddy Wilson (Waratahs) - Came off at halftime, no word as to why.
Noah Hotham (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame. Named to return in rd 9.
Will Jordan (Crusader) - Missing rd 9 with calf muscle stiffness. His return date is TBC but we assume it shouldn’t be long. Source.
Codie Taylor (Crusader) - Missing rd 9 with a hamstring muscle injury. His return date is TBC. Source.
Braydon Ennor (Crusader) - Missing rd 9 with a hamstring muscle injury. His return date is set at 11-13. Source.
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs) - Came off at halftime with a foot injury. His return date is TBC. Source.
Tomás Lavanini (Chiefs) - Suffered a dislocated finger. Expected to miss 1-2 weeks (including rd 9). Source.
Hugo Plummer (Hurricanes) - Has a new ankle injury. Aiming to return rd 12. Source.
Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes) - Has a new leg injury. Aiming to return rd 13-14. Source.
Monu Moli (Moana) - Has a new foot injury. No further details yet. Source.
Ngani Laumape (Moana) - Has a new knee injury. No further details yet. Source.
Simon Peter Toleafoa (Moana) - Has a new knee injury. No further details yet. Source.
Tevita Ofa (Moana) - Has a new finger injury. No further details yet. Source.
Likely Back for Round 9:
Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies) - Tore his ACL on the 9th of July playing for the Brumbies against the Lions. Has been playing for the development squad since rd 5, and will now take his spot on the bench.
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) - Missed the start of the Super season due to a back injury that has plagued him since the back end of last year. Making his first start again this week.
Jeremy Williams (Force) - Going through HIA protocols from rd 7, back this week. Source.
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders) - Pulled from the side for rd 7 for paternity leave as he became a father for the first time. We would think that means he is back this week. Source.
Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders) - Suffered a calf injury in rd 5. Back starting again this week. Source.
Cam Millar (Highlanders) - Came off for a concussion in rd 5. Aiming to return this week. Source.
Saula Ma’u (Highlanders) - Recovered from a shoulder injury to play for the dev side in rd 7. back on the bench this week. Source.
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders) - Scratched from the side late pregamae rd 7 with a foot injury. Source.
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) - Failed his HIA in rd 7, so he will go through the concussion protocol and could be back this week.
Josh Timu (Hurricanes) - Has been out with a foot injury but was expected back between rd 9-11. Source.
Callum Harkin (Hurricanes) - Has a concussion and missed rd 7, hopefully returning now after the rd 8 bye. Source.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (Moana) - Concussed in rd 6, back this week. Source.
Tom Savage (Moana) - Missed rd 7 with a concussion, back this week. Source.
Nico Jones (Moana) - Suffered a concussion in rd 7 so might be available again this week.
Augustine Pulu (Moana) - Was given a red card for the high tackle on Nock. Banned for 3 weeks, but could return after two if he goes to tackle school. This puts him at rd 9-10. Source.
Jimmy Tupou (Moana) - Recovered from an elbow & calf injury to be named on the bench for the fisrt time for Moana.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Came off early rd 7 with what looked like a left shoulder injury. Surprisingly has recovered to start this week.
Melani Matavao (Moana) - On the bench after recovering from a rd 3 calf injury. Source.
Macca Springer (Crusaders) - Out with a Quad injury. Was meant to return for rd 3, now extended to rd 9. Source.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Limped off early with a heel injury in rd 5. Expected to be back rd 10. Source.
Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders) - Out with a hamstring injury. Was aiming to return in rd 5, now listed as rd 9. Source.
Cooper Roberts (Crusaders) - Out with a Fibula injury. Aiming to return in rd 9. Source.
Sam Nock (Blues) - Suffered a concussion from an Augustine Pulu diving coat hanger in rd 6. All going well he should return this week.
Zarn Sullivan (Blues) - On his comeback from a concussion, before rd 8 he suffered a PCL tear (in his knee). Was expected to be out for 6-8 weeks but made a speedy recovery to be named in rd 9. Source.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Missed rd 8 with a concussion. Back this week. Source.
Isaac Hutchinson (Chiefs) - Recovering from a knee injury. Was aiming to return in round 8 so we might see him this week. Source.
Returned in Round 8:
Isaac Kailea (Waratahs) - Took his place on the bench after recovering from a concussion.
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Recovered from his knee ligament injury to take his place on the bench. Came on early as an injury replacement.
Josh Flook (Reds) - Recovered from a rd 5 hip/thigh injury.
Carter Gordon (Reds) - Started after missing last week with a minor injury
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Returned on the wing for his first minute of the season after recovering from a plantar fascia injury. Only played 40 minutes.
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs) - Recovered from a knee injury that cost him a game last week.
Taha Kemara (Crusaders) - Returned from a rd 4 concussion.
Rivez Reihana (Crusaders) - Returned from a rd 5 concussion via the bench.
Dom Gardiner (Crusaders) - Picked up an ankle and knee injury in rd 4. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
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.
Rhys Van Nek - Suffered a thumb injury in rd 4. Consulting a surgeon to determine a RTP time. 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.
Nicholas Conway - Listed as injured in rd 4. Source.
Lachie Anderson - Suffered a serious wrist injury trying to tackle Tualima in rd 4. He went to the hospital and will be out for an extended period of time. Source.
Josh Canham - Right leg injury rd 4. His foot was planted and he twisted over it in a ruck. Needed to be assisted off by two people. We have heard it is actually a serious hamstring injury. Given he was spotted in a brace on the sideline, he may actually have a posterolateral corner (PLC) injury that can include the hamstring and some of the ligaments.
George Blake - Came off injured in the 79th minute of rd 7. He looked to be holding his left wrist/ thumb, but the coverage said it was for an HIA. We aren’t sure which is correct.
Waratahs
Austin Durbidge - Did have a forearm injury. Changed to appendicitis in rd 5. Source.
Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii - Ruled out of action for six-to-eight weeks due to a hamstring injury in the warm-up before rd 4. Source.
James Hendren - Unavailable from rd 6 due to a wrist injury. Source.
Harry Potter - Listed as having a quad injury as of rd 7. Source.
Lawson Creighton - Came off in rd 7 with a sore Sternoclavicular joint. No clarity on the severity but a severe injury is pretty rare, so we are guessing he is out for 1-2 weeks. Source.
Western Force
Doug Philipson - Missed the preseason with a knee injury, and still listed as a medium-term injury in rd 9. 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 9. Source.
Carlo Tizzano - Came off in rd 7. Was spotted in a knee brace on the sideline. Now listed as a short term injury from rd 9. Source.
NEW ZEALAND
Blues
Corey Evans - Missing rd 1 to 7 with an ankle injury. No confirmation on a return date. Source.
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 7 with a concussion. No return date set yet. Source.
Josh Fusitu’a - Injured his elbow in rd 2. We now know he has had an operation on his bicep, so we assume he ruptured it. They say he is targeting to play this season, but recovery should take at least 4 months (roughly June). Source.
Flyn Yates - Listed as injured from rd 3 with a neck injury. Source.
Stephen Perofeta - Ruled out pregame rd 4 as a precautionary measure for a “minor injury” that we now know was his calf. Given this has been such a big issue for him in the past, hopefully, it is nothing too serious. Source.
Dalton Papali’i - Came off at halftime for a back niggle that had flared up too much in rd 6. Missed rd 7 and 9. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu - Missing since rd 6 with a knee injury. Source.
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.
Laghlan McWhannell - Missed rd 6 and 7 with a concussion. All going well he should return anytime now. Source.
Chiefs
Benet Kumeroa - Went down with a right ankle injury in rd 4. Aiming to return rd 12. Source.
Daniel Rona - Injured in his hamstring in rd 6, return date set for rd 14. Source.
Lalakai Foketi - Listed as injured as of rd 7 with a hand injury. Return date is set at rds 11-13. Source.
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Missed rd 8 with a foot injury. Was expected back in rd 9 but now his status has been changed to TBC. Source.
Wallace Sititi - Out since rd 4 with a hamstring injury. His return is expected between rounds 10. Source.
Crusaders
Scott Barrett - Still finalising his return date from the sabbatical, but his intention is to return sometime in May. Source.
Liam Jack - Out with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 12-13. Source.
Cullen Grace - Currently has a knee injury. Still no set return date yet. Source.
Aki Tuivailala - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Kyle Preston - Out with a knee injury since rd 8. Aiming to return rd 11-13. Source.
Ethan Blackadder - Out with a calf injury since rd 8. Aiming to return rd 12-13. Source.
Highlanders
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.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens - Rolled his ankle in rd 7. Expected to be out for 4-6 weeks. Source.
Finn Hurley - Has a “stress around his foot”, which sounds like a stress fracture. Was originally expected back in rd 5, now pushed back to this week. He also played club footy in rd 8. Source.
Hurricanes
Tom Allen - Was expected back from a leg injury for rd 2, but still down as injured. Source.
Jai Tamati - Looks to have picked up an ankle injury after rd 2. Expected back rds 11-13. Source.
Matolu Petaia - Has a leg injury. Will be back in 2 weeks (rd 11). Source.
Taine Roiri - Has a hamstring injury. Was aiming for rd 10, now pushed back to Rd 14-16. Source.
Ngane Punivai - Listed as having a hamstring injury before rd 5. Return date now listed as rd 11-12. Source.
Kini Naholo - Was expected to return from his ACL Recon in rd 6. But suffered a foot injury. Aiming to play rd 10. Source.
Tyrel Lomax - Returned from an ankle injury only to be pulled with a new ankle injury before rd 7. He has been given a 7-week return date. 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.
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. Before rd 8 they said he would be back within the next few weeks. Source.
Aisea Nawai - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a leg injury. Source.
Kavaia Tagivetaua - Listed as having an ankle injury as of rd 5. Source.
Frank Lomani - Came off with a right ankle injury after getting stepped in defence in rd 7. Ruled out for 3 weeks, so should be back by round 11. Source.
Temo Mayanavanua - Suffered a right knee injury in rd 2. Originally aiming to pla rd 9 but hasn’t been named yet. Source.
Moana Pasifika
Israel Leota - Came off in rd 2 with an ankle sprain. Source.
Jonathan Taumateine - Picked up a knee injury in rd 3. Source.
Tupou Afungia - Recovered from a neck injury, but suffered a concussion in rd 3. Now listed as a neck injury again in rd 6. Source.
Lolani Faleiva - Has a shoulder injury. No return date announced. Source.
Julian Savea - Came off in rd 6 with a nasty-looking shoulder injury. We suspect he has dislocated it, so he will be out for some time.
Tito Tuipulotu - Missing rd 7 with a thumb injury. Source.
Joel Lam - Has a quad contusion (cork) from rd 7. Looked to be pretty severe.
Gone for the season:
Dan Nelson (Brumbies) - Fractured his fibula in his lower leg before d 5. Ruled out for the remainder of the season. Source.
Kye Oates (Brumbies) - Fracture dislocation of his ankle before rd 8. He has already had an operation. They said he is aiming to be back in 12 weeks (so won’t play again this season), but I think this is probably being hopeful. Source.
Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua) - Commentary said that Loganimasi came off with a dislocated wrist in rd 7. He has now been ruled out for the season with an arm injury, so we believe this is the reason. Source.
Epeli Momo (Drua) - Ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury before rd 8. Source.
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.
Josh Tengblad (Highlanders) - Suffered an ACL injury in rd 5. Out for the season. 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.
James White (Crusaders) - Suffered a shoulder injury and will be out for the rest of the season. Source.
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders) - Ruled out after rd 7 for the year with an infection of a disc in his back (Discitis). He will make a full recovery, but won’t play until at least the first international window. Source.
Jayden Sa (Chiefs) - Suffered a new shoulder injury in rd 5. Confirmed he is out for the season. Source.
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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.





