Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 5-6

Round 5 is in the bag for Super Rugby Pacific and we have all the latest Casualty Ward 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 5:

David Feliuai (Brumbies) - Suffered a concussion and will go through the protocols. Expected back in rd 7. Source.
Charlie Cale (Brumbies) -Came off with back spasms. He is now listed as a “long-term” injury, with his return date TBC. Source.
Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua) - Failed his HIA and will miss rd 6 with concussion. Source.
Harrison Goddard (Brumbies) - Went for an HIA late in the game after Murray’s swinging arm took out his head. No word on if he passed or failed.
Divad Palu (Force) - On his return into the 23 he was pulled with a new injury shortly after reentering the frame.
Sef Fa’agase (Reds) - Came off with a concussion so will go through his return to play protocol.
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Came off after feeling something high in his leg. So we expect it is a hamstring or quad tear. Source.
Fraser McReight (Reds) - Suffered an AC joint injury diving for his try. They are saying it is nothing sinister and that they were planning on resting him for rd 6. Source.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Reds) - Listed as injured as of rd 6. No other info yet. Source.
Josh Nasser (Reds) - Listed as injured as of rd 6. No other info yet. Source.
Motikiai Murray (Drua) - Red carded for his high tackle on Goddard and banned for 3 weeks. Is not eligible for tackle school. Source.

Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders) - Pulled from the squad late rd 5 as a precautionary move to give him time to get over a niggle. Now named as a quad injury with no set return date (mind you they had no return date for Grace in rd 5 and he returned in rd 6). Source.
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) - Tore his hamstring in rd 5, no set return date yet. Source.
Ngatungane Punivai (Hurricanes) - Knocked himself out trying to tackle Tavatavanawai. Will have to go through the concussion protocols.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Limped off the field after 67 minutes with an ankle injury. Not ruled out of rd 6 yet, instead he will be assessed throughout this week. Source.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues) - Pulled pregame with a neck injury. Source.
Cameron Suafoa (Blues) - Pulled pregame. No word on why, but not listed in their injuries. Source.
AJ Lam (Blues) - Came off with a leg injury. Source.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) -Pulled pregame with a leg injury. Only expected to be a short term injury. Source.
James Lay (Moana) - Picked up an elbow injury in rd 5. Source.
Ardie Savea (Moana) - Came off at half time because his hammy’s tightened up. Not listed to play rd 6 but not expected to be serious. Source.
Lotu Inisi (Moana) - We were told he was back training but as of rd 6 he has been listed as having a hamstring injury again. So we assume he aggravated it during training. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo (Moana) - Out of rd 6 with a shoulder injury. We aren’t sure how serious it is. Source.

Likely Back for Round 6:

Nick Champion de Crespigny (Force) - Missed rd 5 due to a concussion. A standard return protocol would have him back in rd 6. Source.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Came off with a knee injury in rd 4. Named to return in rd 6. Source.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) - Expected to return this week as he recovers from a small crack on his fibula. Source.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - “Tweaked” his hamstring in January during training. Back into full training before rd 5 so they are hopeful he plays rd 6. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs) - Suffered a knee injury in rd 4. Named as fit but not selected. Source.
Miles Amatosero (Waratahs) - Listed as out with a back injury as of rd 5. Named as fit but not selected. Source.

Tito Tuipulotu (Moana) - Benched in his return from his knee injury he picked up back in rd 3. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - 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.
Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs) - Failed his HIA in rd 4, will go through concussion protocols so could be back for rd 6.
Noah Hotham (Crusaders) - Suffered a syndesmosis injury in rd 1. Back off the bench this week. Source.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - Injured his hamstring in rd 4. Named to start I rd 6. Source.
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders)- 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.
Finn Hurley (Highlanders)- Pulled pregame rd 3 with a quadriceps injury. Expected back in rd 6 or 7. Source.

Returned in Round 5:

Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) - Returned from his concussion.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Returned from his red card ban.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Returned from a minor injury.
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Started at 10 in his return from injury.
Iosefo Masi (Drua) - Returned from his ankle sprain.
Vilive Miramira (Drua) - Returned from his injury via the bench.
Divad Palu (Force)- Returned from a rd 2 shoulder injury.
Atu Moli (Force) - Returned via the bench after being pulled late pregame rd 2.

Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Returned from his broken nose to start.
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) - Named fit last week, but selected for the first time this week.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Took the field for the first time after recovering from his ankle injury.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Returned from his right knee hyperextension injury.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Returned via the bench after recovering from a stress fracture.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Recovered from foot surgery to play off the bench.
Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes) - Returned from an Achilles injury this week after being listed as TBC only one week ago.
Dalton Papali’i (Blues) - Returned from a rd 3 concussion.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Returned from a calf injury via the bench.
Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) - Returned from a cheek and leg injury.
Kurt Eklund (Blues) - Returned from a groin injury and played big minutes.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
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.
Josh Flook- Limped off with a hamstring injury in rd 3. Source.
Liam Wright - In Rd 4 he irritated the shoulder he had operated on late last year. Going for scans and consulting the specialist, but at this stage they are saying it is hopefully only short term. They don’t seem confident though. Source.
Jock Campbell - Suffered a wrist/ forearm injury right at the end of Rd 2. Consulted a specialist. No update since then but he was always targeting a rd 6 return. 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.
Jake Gordon - Came off with an MCL injury in rd 4. Expected back in rd 9. Source.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - Out of rd 3 with a toe injury to his plantar plate. Seen as “a chance” of returning in rd 6 off the bench but wasn’t named. Source.
Lalakai Foketi - Picked up a groin injury in rd 3. Was a chance of playing in rd 6 but wasn’t named. 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.
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.
Reon Paul - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. Source.
Beauden Barrett - Fractured his right hand in rd 4. Will miss at least two weeks, but they are saying most likely 4 weeks. Source.
Ricky Riccitelli - Missing rd 5 and 6 with a chest injury. All we know is that after thame they said “it doesn’t look good”. 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
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 now they are saying rd 8. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Injured his MCL injury in his knee which he sustained in the last trial on Feb 6th. Was aiming to play round 5, but instead they pushed it back 4 weeks. 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 rd 7 or 8. 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.
Folau Fakatava - Was ruled out on Thursday before rd 3 with a hamstring injury. Latest news is he is aiming for rds 7-8. Source.
Hugh Renton - Out with a groin injury. Due back rd 7 or 8. 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 after the rd 7 bye. Source.
Billy Proctor - Has an Achilles injury that kept him out of the first 4 weeks. Sounds like a tendinopathy or tenosynovitis (overload pathology). March 13th they gave an update (before rd 5). In a boot the previous week, was starting to load late rd 6 and in some new meds. They are hoping he plays rd 7 or 8. Source.
Siale Lauaki - Suffered a Rib injury in rd 4. No return date set yet. 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. Not listed as injured but hasn’t been seen since. 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. Not listed as injured but hasn;t play since. Source.
Danny Toala - 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.

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.