Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 15-16

The penultimate round of Super Rugby Pacific is done! The Casualty Ward is here to keep you up to date with 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 15:

Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs) - Pulled pregame, no more information available yet.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) - Suffered a left shoulder injury, was holding it awkwardly by his side as he left the field.
Fatongia Paea (Force) - Limped off 1 minute into the second half with a leg injury.
Ben Donaldson (Force) - Came off with a knee injury in the last minute of regular time.

Mitchell Dunshea (Highlanders) - Pulled pregame, no more information available yet.
Taniela Filimone (Highlanders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 15.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame, no more information available yet.
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes) - Someone landed on the outside his leg. He limped off looking quite sore, we suspect it was his MCL.
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs) - Came off with a concussion after a high shot from Pellegrini.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Came off with a shoulder injury. No more details yet.
Danny Toala (Moana) - Came off with a hamstring injury.
Kyren Taumoefolau (Moana) - Looked to have injured his shoulder in the last minute. Didn’t come off, but watch this space.

Likely Back for Round 16:

Charlie Cale (Brumbies) - Came off with back spasms in rd 5. Apparently was something like a stress fracture. Aiming to return in rd 16 against the Crusaders if training early in the week goes well, but they are being cautious with him so he is less likely. Source.
Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) - Stretched off with a back injury in rd 13. Scans have shown no damage. Expected to return for rd 16 if training early in the week goes well. Source.
Luke Reimer (Brumbies) - Out of rd 14 with a conussion. Returning Round 16 after the bye if training early in the week goes well. Source.
Jack Debreczeni (Brumbies) - Out with a groin injury as of rd 9. Return date is rd 16 if training early in the week goes well. Source.
Josh Flook (Reds) - Limped off with a hamstring injury in rd 3. Expected back for rd 16. Source.
Seru Uru - Expected back from a rd 14 knee injury. Source.

Anton Segner (Blues) - Likely to return from his rd 14 concussion.
Mark Tele’a (Blues) - Red carded for a tip tackle on junkyard dog in rd 11. Banned for 3 weeks. If he can’t do tackle school this would rule him out for the rest of the regular season. Source.
Cole Forbes (Blues) - Likely to return from his rd 14 concussion.
Will Tucker (Hurricanes) - Concussed in the warm-up for rd 14. Originally expected back for rd 15 so he should be fit this week. Source.
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders) - Missing since rd 13 with an Achilles injury. Still 1-2 weeks away as of rd 14 which would mean he could return this week. Source.
Nikora Broughton (Highlanders) - Returned from his rib injury only to do his MCL in rd 10. Return date is now rd 16. Source.

Returned in Round 15:

Harry Wilson (Reds) - Returned from his broken arm after only 5 weeks.
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Returned after a concussion cost him rd 14.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (Force) - Returned after a concussion cost him rd 14.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Returned from a rd 8 quad injury.
Carlo Tizzano (Force) - Was back scoring tries after missing the last two weeks with a pec injury.

Daniel Rona (Chiefs) - Back after missing last week with a concussion.
Brodie Mcalister (Crusaders) - Back after missing last week with a concussion.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Returned from a thumb sprain that cost him rd 13.
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) - Returned via the bench from what we believe was a broken leg at training.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Started for the Hurricanes after missing last week with an ankle injury.
Danny Toala (Moana) - Pulled from the lineup a day before kick-off last week. Returned to start in rd 15.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Tevita Alatini - Out with an ACL injury as of 12th Feb. Return date is TBC but considered a long term injury. Source.
Austin Anderson - Broke his jaw in rd 13 in the John I Dent Cup so won’t be available for four to six weeks. Source.
Allan Alaalatoa - Came off with a calf injury in rd 14, looked to be quite sore as he grimaced leaving the field with two people helping him. Apparently aiming to only miss a couple of weeks. Source.
Ben O’Donnell - Out with a hamstring injury as of 12th Feb, has had to have an operation. Return date was set as rd 14-15 but we don’t have a further update. Source.

Reds
Matt Gibbon - Listed as injured since rd 2. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured since rd 2. Source.
Frankie Goldsbrough - Listed as injured as of rd 6. No other info yet. Source.
George Blake - Picked up a potential season-ending syndesmosis injury against the Blues in rd 11. Source.
Alex Hodgman - Listed as injured as of rd 14. No more details available. Source.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Out of rd 14 with a shoulder injury. Recovering well but not expected to recover in time for rd 16. Source.
Massimo De Lutiis - Came off after dislocating his wrist after catching it awkwardly in a tackle defending his line in rd 14. Source.

Waratahs
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.
Max Jorgensen - Came off with a syndesmosis sprain. Has had an operation on his syndesmosis. Aiming to return for the first week of finals. Source.
Jimmy Hendernson - Out of rd 15 with a broken wrist. Source.
Rob Leota - Came off with an ankle injury in rd 14. No more detail available yet. Source.

Western Force
Matt Proctor - Out with a shoulder injury. No clarity on a return date. Source.
Divad Palu - Pulled with a new shoulder injury shortly after reentering the frame in rd 5. No details are available about what he has done. Source.
Marley Pearce - Injured his shoulder in rd 10 and was seen in a sling post game. Return date Is currently TBC. Thanks to @l_freemantle Source.
Vaiolini Ekuasi - Suffered a shoulder injury in rd 10. Return date Is currently TBC. Source.
Lopeti Faifua - Missing rd 14 with a calf injury. Source.
Mitch Watts - Listed as out with an ankle injury in rd 15. Source.
Atu Moli - In rd 14, the sub only lasted 18 minutes before getting concussed trying to make a tackle on Canakaivata on his own line.

NEW ZEALAND
Blues
Reon Paul - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. Source.
Stephen Perofeta - Came off at half time in rd 12 feeling sore in hamstring or calf. Source.
Cameron Suafoa - His cancer has come back. He apparently had an operation in March and is on the mend. Source.
Adrian Choat - Pulled pregame rd 14. No more info available yet.

Chiefs
Fiti Sa - Has a long-term shoulder injury as of rd 2. Still considered a long term injury in rd 10. Source.
Kaleb Trask - On at halftime on his return from injury. Seen limping off with an ankle injury only 14 minutes later after having it strapped earlier. In rd 13 it says he is a mid term injury. Source.
Malachi Wrampling - Listed as having a hamstring injury in rd 12. Said to be a Mid-term injury. Source.
Kaylum Boshier - Came off the field holding his right arm awkwardly in rd 12. No confirmation yet if there was more to it.
Liam Coombes Fabling - Suffered a knee injury. As of rd 13 it says he is returning soon. Source. In rd 14 he is back to short-term. Source.
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Suffered a hamstring tear in rd 1. As of rd 13 it says he is returning soon. Source.

Crusaders
Jonny Lee - Injured his calf before rd 11. Out for 4 weeks, so his earliest return is Round 15. Source.
Lewis Ponini - Injured his calf before rd 11. Out for 4-6 weeks, so his earliest return is Round 15. Source.
Ethan Blackadder – Tore his hamstring before rd 11. Return date is set for the first week of finals. Source.
Xavier Saifoloi - Out with a medial ligament as of rd 15, back in 2 weeks. Source.
Will Jordan - Came off with a suspected MCL injury in rd 13. Expected back in 2-3 weeks as of rd 15. Source.

Highlanders
Hayden Michaels - Out of rd 9 with a hamstring injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
James Arscott - Listed as a shoulder injury as of rd 10 with a return date as TBC.
Hugh Renton - Ruled out pregame rd 12 with a groin injury. Return is TBC. Source.
Caleb Tangitau - Injured his groin in rd 8. Still out for 1-2 weeks as of rd 12. Source. As of rd 14 he has dropped to TBC. Source.
Jona Nareki - Limped off on his return from a knee injury, with a new meniscus tear. Will not have time off to get it right. Source.

Hurricanes
Caleb Delany - Pulled pregame rd 12 with a back injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Harry Godfrey - Has a lower leg injury. Was aiming to return in rd 13, as of rd 14 he has been downgraded to TBC. Source.
Ngantungane Punivai - Injured his ankle 10 minutes into rd 14. Managed to make it until half time when he finally succumbed to the injury. His return date is TBC. Source.

PASIFIKA TEAMS

Fijian Drua
Epeli Momo - Out with a knee injury before rd 1, still considered a long-term injury in rd 13. Source.
Peni Matawalu - Under police investigation following allegations of domestic violence against his wife, resulting in her hospitalisation. He has returned to training on Tuesday 22nd. Source.
Ilaisa Droasese - Out as of rd 8 with a broken hand. Considered short term as of rd 9. A 4-6 turn around would have him back between rds 12-14. Source.
Motikiai Murray - Injured his left ankle in rd 11. Expected to miss two weeks, she he should be back in rd 14. Source.
Vilive Miramira - As of rd 13 he is out with a Knee, listed as short-term. Source.
Etonia Waqa - Out injured for rd 13. No more details available yet. Source.
Kemu Valetini - Rule out on Friday before rd 14 with an injury. Source.

Moana Pasifika
Losi Filipo - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Samiuela Moli - Out as of rd 7 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo - Missing rd 9 due to a foot injury. Source.
James Lay - Came off the bench after recovering from his elbow injury in rd 9 only to injure his neck. Source.
Lotu Inisi - 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. Spotted playing for a club side in rd 10 so we think he is fit.
Sione Mafile'o - Made his return from a neck injury only to injure his neck in rd 10. Return date is now TBC. Source.
Michael Curry - Made his return from a shoulder injury only to injure his neck in rd 10. Return date is now TBC. Source.
Samiuela Moli - Injured his rib in rd 10. Return date is TBC. Source.
Fine Inisi - Suffered an ankle injury in rd 11. Unavailable in rd 12. Source.
Alamanda Motuga - As of rd 14 listed as out with a shoulder injury. Source.
Pone Fa'amausili - As of rd 14 listed as out with a calf injury. Source.
William Havili - In rd 14 he tried to make a tackle, but the ball carrier tripped and forced his knee into hyperextension. Looked to be quite a severe injury; he was carted off the field and couldn’t bend his knee.

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.
Blake Schoupp (Brumbies) - Ruptured his left Achilles in a scrum in rd 9. Had the repair that weekend. Will take roughly 9 months to recover. Source.
Meli Derenalagi (Drua) - His knee collapsed after trying to step off his left leg in rd 6. Had surgery and with a 12 week return time he will be out for the season. Given the timeline we assume it was a meniscus injury. Source.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Out of rd 9 with a shoulder injury. Before rd 11 he was confirmed to be out for the season. Source.
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Out for the season with a hamstring injury. Recovering well but not expected back for rd 16. Source.
Mason Gordon (Reds) - Listed as injured since rd 2. We now know that he has suffered a long term concussion and has retired. Source.
Liam Wright (Reds) - In Rd 4 he irritated the shoulder he had operated on late last year. Before rd 15 the reds confirmed he has had surgery again. Source.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs) - Was stretchered off the field with a nasty looking concussion in rd 13. We now know he also had required surgery on his fractured jaw, so will miss the rest of the season. They will review him in 4 weeks to determine his return to play timeframe. Source.

Neria Fomai (Moana) - Will miss the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season recovering from an ACL reconstruction. Source.
Sama Malolo (Moana) - Suffered a shoulder injury in rd 10. Had to have a reconstruction and will be out for the season. 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.
Finn Hurley (Highlanders) - Confirmed that his quad injury before rd 7 will keep him out for 10-12 weeks, which will cost him the rest of the season. Source.
Ajay Faleafaga (Highlanders) - As of rd 10 he was out for the season with a hand injury. 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.
Taha Kemara (Crusaders) - Tore his ACL in rd 11. Will be out for the season. Source.
Dom Gardiner (Crusaders) - Was out with a hamstring injury. Now listed as a foot and is out for the season. 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.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues) - Pulled pregame rd 5 with a neck injury. As of round 8 he is said to be out for the season. 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.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Came off at half time with a collar bone injury and had an operation, so we expect he had a fracture fixed with a plate. Will miss the rest of the season. Source.
Kini Naholo (Hurricanes) - Twisted and collapsed on his right knee trying to step and change direction in rd 12. Now confirmed he tore his ACL as suspected. He has undergone surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Source.
Brayden Iose (Hurricanes) - Suffered a bad-looking ankle injury in rd 14, we suspect it was his syndesmosis, given he twisted his ankle to the outside and forced his ankle to bend. He tried to play on but couldn’t really weight bear so he limped off. He has now been ruled out for the season. Source.
Riley Higgins (Hurricanes) - Broke his leg in rd 14 and managed to play on for 25 minutes with it. Now ruled out for the season. Source.

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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.