Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 3-4

All the Super Rugby injuries in one place

The Casualty Ward for Super Rugby Pacific is back for another edition as we wrap up rd 3. 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 3:

Glen Vaihu (Drua) - Pulled pregame with an injury.
Tito Tuipulotu (Drua) - Pulled pregame with an injury.
Isikeli Rabitu (Drua) - Limped off after 30 minutes - looks like he fell awkwardly in a tackle. Maybe a left knee injury?
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Came off after 31 minutes. No clarity on why, watching the footage back, he makes a few passive tackles before being removed, but there is nothing obviously limiting him.
Hunter Paisami (Reds)- Listed as injured as of rd 4. Apparently he has an ankle injury. Source.
Tim Ryan (Reds) - Listed as injured as of rd 4. Source.
Kadin Pritchard (Brumbies) - Pulled for an HIA (which he failed) by the independent match day doctor. Recovered to play rd 4.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - Being rested for rd 4. Source.
Harry Potter (Waratahs) - Picked up a toe injury before rd 4. Source.

Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Failed an HIA, so will have to go back through the concussion protocols.
Tupou Afungia (Moana) - Recovered from a neck injury, but suffered a concussion.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Picked up a knee injury in rd 3. Source.
Melani Matavao (Moana) - Picked up a calf injury in rd 3. Source.
Julian Savea (Moana) - Listed as having a groin injury as of rd 5. Source.
George Bell (Crusaders) - Had to be helped off the field after making a tackle. Looks to have some sort of lower limb injury. Pleasingly, he was walking unaided once off the field.
Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Being rested for rd 4. Source.
Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders) - Limped off the field after setting up David Havili’s try. Looked pretty innocuous, so hopefully nothing serious.
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders) - has been suspended for three weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play in his team’s win over the Chiefs.
Jared Proffit (Chiefs) - Was subbed after 65 minutes, but taken straight down the tunnel for an HIA. No word on whether he passed or failed it.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Listed as injured with a hip injury. Return date is currently tbc. Source.
Xavier Roe (Chiefs) - Listed as injured with an ankle injury. Return date is currently tbc. Source.
Caleb Clarke (Blues) - Injured making a try-saving tackle after 59 mins. Seen on the sideline for several minutes, down on one knee, struggling to breathe. Our speculation at this point is that he has a bruised or broken rib. Back starting this week though
Cole Forbes (Blues) - Walked off with a minor limp due to a left ankle injury. Was seeing icing it on the sideline.
Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) - Came off after 27 minutes with a concussion. Out for a minimum of 12 days. Source.
Bradley Slater (Blues) - Listed as out with an abdomen injury for rd 4. Source.
Taine Robinson (Highlanders) - Out with a back injury. Expected back rds 5 or 6. Source.

Likely Back for Round 4:

Folau Fainga’a (Waratahs) - Was knocked out in rd 1, should return after the rd 3 bye if all went well with his recovery.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (Western Force) - Looked like he injured his MCL in rd 1. Back starting this week.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Added to the Reds’ injury ward for rd 3, returning this week via the bench.

Kyle Preston (Crusaders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 1. No longer listed as injured last week, so we assume he is fit. Source.
Rivez Reihana (Crusaders) - Suffered an adductor strain before rd 2, back starting this week.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Suffered a rib injury during rd 2.Back this week.
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) - Expected back from a calf injury in rd 4. Source.
Jahrome Brown (Chiefs) - Failed his HIA in rd 2. Confirmed to be ruled out for at least rd 3, but he could potentially play this week. Source.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Missed the first 3 weeks due to the birth of his first child. Back this week. Source.
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs) - Missing rd 2 and 3 due to the birth of his second child. Back this week. Source.
Taine Kolose (Chiefs) - The young hooker was nursing a knee niggle, no longer listed as injured.
Sione Ahio (Chiefs) - Was out with an ankle injury. No longer listed as injured.
Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Was always expected to miss the first three rounds as part of his All Blacks resting protocol, so we think he should be back this week. Source.
Andrew Knewstubb (Highlanders) - Expected back from a quad muscle injury in rd 4. Source.
Xavier Tito-Harris (Highlanders) - Was expected back from a hamstring injury in rd 3, pushed back to rd 4. Source.
Angus Ta’avao (Highlanders) - Was on compassionate leave for rd 2 and 3 due to the death of his son after rd 1. Returns this week. Source.
Niko Jones (Moana) - Off injured with a foot injury as of the last trial on the 7th Feb. Back integrating into the team in rd 3 and now no longer listed as injured.
Augustine Pulu (Moana) - Returns this week from a calf injury.

Returned in Round 3:

Harry Wilson (Reds) - Returned from January knee surgery. Looked slightly undercooked.
Carter Gordon (Reds) - Made his debut for the Reds after recovering from a minor leg injury.
Kalani Thomas (Reds) - Makes his comeback from injury via the bench in rd 3.
Filipo Daugunu (Reds) - Returned via the bench in rd 3.
Josh Nasser (Reds) - Returned from injury via the bench in rd 3.
Josh Flook (Reds) - Started after recovering from a rd 1 ankle injury.
Nic Dolly (Western Force) - Returns from off-season knee surgery to start at hooker. Took a knock early but managed to play on.
Darby Lancaster (Western Force) - Returned from a thigh injury this week, scored with basically his first touch for the club.

Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Returned from a preseason concussion via the bench in rd 3.
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes) - Recovered from a calf injury to play from the bench.
Sam Darry (Blues) - Returned from a rd 1 concussion.
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs) - Returned from a hamstring injury via the bench.
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Returned from a rd 1 concussion.via the bench in rd 3.
Lalakai Foketi (Chiefs) - Recovered from a preseason knee injury to play off the bench.
Tevita Latu (Moana) - Recovered from a knee injury to play off the bench.
Ola Tauelangi (Moana) - Recovered from a back injury to play off the bench.
Tupou Afungia (Moana) - Recovered from a neck injury to play off the bench.

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, so they are giving him time to recover with no clear return date as of yet. Source.
Nick Frost - Rested for rd 1 and 2, was expected back in rd 3, but it hasn’t eventuated. As far as we know, he is not injured. We heard he is playing for the Brumbies runners in rd 4. 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 in rd 1. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured in rd 1. Source.
Nicholas Conway - Listed as injured in rd 4. Source.
Ben Volavola - Listed as injured in rd 1. Source.
Will Ross - Listed as injured in rd 3. 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. 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 - Currently out as of rd 1 with a forearm injury. Source.
Eamon Doyle - Currently out as of rd 1 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. 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.
Payton Spencer - Was knocked out in the trial against the Hurricanes on Jan 30th. Still unavailable in rd 4. Source.
Corey Evans - Missing rd 1 and 2 with an ankle injury. No confirmation on a return date. Source.
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 4 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.

Chiefs
Brodie McAlister - Suffered a broken hand at training in the last week of January. Set to sideline him for the first three rounds (Back rd 5). Source.
Isaac Hutchinson - Recovering from a knee injury. Aiming to return in round 8. 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 8-10. 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 8-10. 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 8-10. 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 TBC. Source.

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 10. Source.
Hugh Renton - Had off-season surgery. No longer listed as injured in rd 3 so might be returning via their development side. 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 9. Source.

Hurricanes
Kini Naholo - Expected to return from his ACL Recon (in mid-May) by rd 4 to 6. Source.
Tom Allen - Expected back from a leg for rd 2. Source.
Ruben Love - Sustained an ankle injury while training with the squad in the lead-up to round 1. Originally targetted rd 5, now changed to rd 6-8 as we predicted. 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.
Tyrel Lomax - Was expected back from a thumb injury in rd 2. Source. However there was some doubt around if the specialist would clear him or not, so we don’t have confirmation when he is back.
Caleb Delany - Was expected back from a calf injury around rd 4 but wasn’t named on their teamlist or their injury list. 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.
Ponipate Loganimasi - Came off at half time in rd 2, we now know it was due to a hip injury. We don’t know long he will be out for. 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.
William Havili - Suffered a neck strain in rd 2. Scans have cleared him of any serious injury so he is unlikely to miss too much game time. Source.
Konrad Toleafoa - Out with a neck injury as of rd 4. Source.

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.