Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 9-10

Super Rugby Pacific is 9 weeks in! The Casualty Ward is here again 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 9:

Caleb Muntz (Drua) - Came off in the first half with his arm in his jersey like a makeshift sling. We assume he is a shoulder dislocation or AC Joint injury.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Knocked out cold trying to make a tackle on Lachie Anderson. Will miss at least rd 10 as he goes through the return to play protocols. Source.
Blake Schoupp (Brumbies) - Ruptured his left Achilles in a scrum shortly after coming onto the field. Will take roughly 9 months to recover. Source.
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Came off after 11 minutes. Hard to see on Stan but it looked like he makes a tackle with his left shoulder then immediately drops behind the play and subs off.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Reds) - Pulled pregame with a tight hamstring.

David Havili (Crusaders) - Returned after missing last week with an Achilles tendon niggle. Only lasted 30 minutes before seemingly coming off for the same problem.
Simon Parker (Chiefs) - Came off early with a concussion. Will go through the return to play protocol. Source.
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes) - Pulled pregame.
Caleb Clarke (Blues) - Out with a thigh injury.
Ajay Faleafaga (Highlanders) - Out for the season with a hand injury. Source.
James Arscott (Highlanders) - Listed as a shoulder injury with a return date as TBC. Source.
Nikora Broughton (Highlanders) - Returned from his rib injury only to do his MCL. Return date is TBC. Source.
Tanielu Tele'a (Highlanders) - Suffered a hamstring injury. Back in 2-3 weeks). Source.
James Lay (Moana) - Came off the bench after recovering from his elbow injury only to injure his neck. Source.

Likely Back for Round 10:

Charlie Gamble (Waratahs) - Should return after missing rd 9 due to illness. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs) - Missed rd 9 with a concussion, so he should be a good chance of returning. Source.
Motikiai Murray (Drua) - Red carded for his high tackle on Goddard in rd 5, and banned for 3 weeks. Back for rd 10.

Julian Savea (Moana) - Back after being missing since rd 3 with a knee injury.
Tevita Ofa (Moana) - Back after recovery from a hamstring injury that had him out since rd 8.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Missed rd 9 due to an ankle injury.
Sione Mafile'o (Moana) - Missed rd 9 due to a neck injury.
Jonah Lowe (Highlanders) - Out with a ACL injury. Was originally expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Soane Vikena (Highlanders) - Missed rd 9 with an AC joint injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
TK Howden (Highlanders) - Missed rd 9 with a hamstring injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders) - Missed rd 9 with a knee injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Missed rd 9 with a quad injury. Expected back in rd 10. Source.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Suffered a concussion and missed rd 9. Expected back in rd 10-11. Source.
Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders) - Out with a hamstring tear. As of rd 8 his return was pushed back another 2 weeks, so he could play this week. Source.
Kyle Preston (Crusaders) - Suffered a rib injury in rd 6. Expected back in rd 10. Source.
Zarn Sullivan (Blues) - Named at fullback after recovering from a foot injury.
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) - Has an Achilles injury that kept him out of the first 4 weeks. Sounds like a tendinopathy or tenosynovitis (overload pathology). Finally back on the bench in rd 10.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Pulled pregame rd 5 with a leg injury. Back via the bench this week.

Returned in Round 9:

Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies) - Returned from a rd 6 concussion.
Harrison Goddard (Brumbies) - Returned from his rd 7 shoulder injury.
Peni Ravai (Drua) - Finally returned from a rd 2 back injury.

Folau Fakatava (Highlanders) - Started after recovering from his rd 3 hamstring injury.
Cameron Millar (Highlanders) - Returned from his concussion he suffered in a sickening head clash with Danny Toala in rd 3.
Oliver Haig (Highlanders) - Returned from his foot injury.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders) - Made a quick recovery to return from his fractured neck and subsequent surgery back in October 2024.
Hugh Renton (Highlanders) - Returned from his groin injury.
Nikora Broughton (Highlanders) - Returned from his rib injury that he initially suffered in rd 6.
Pepesana Patafilo (Moana) - Returned from the concussion that had him miss rd 8.
Miracle Faiilagi (Moana) - Returned from the hamstring injury that cost him a spot last week.
Sione Havili Talitui (Moana) - Returned via the bench from his rd 3 ankle injury.
James Lay (Moana) - Came off the bench after recovering from his rd 5 elbow injury.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Returned after missing last week with an Achilles tendon niggle.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Crusaders) - Returned from an MCL injury he suffered back on Feb 6th.
Ricky Riccitelli (Blues) - Recovered from the chest injury that had him out since rd 5.
PJ Sheck (Blues) - Returned from a shoulder injury via the bench.
Taufa Funaki (Blues) - Returned off the bench after recovering from his rd 2 shoulder injury.
Adrian Choat (Blues) - Retrued via the bench after overcoming his rd 2 knee injury.
Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes) - Was a late addition to start after recovering from his rd 7 hamstring injury.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Ben O’Donnell - Out with a hamstring injury as of 12th Feb, has had to have an operation. 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. Now listed as returning in rd 12-13. Source.
Kadin Pritchard - Has a knee injury and is expected back between rd 12-14. Source.
Charlie Cale - Came off with back spasms in rd 5. He is now listed as a “long-term” injury, with his return date TBC. Source.
Klayton Thorn - Out with a hamstring tear as of rd 9. Expected back round 12. Source.
Jack Debreczeni - Out with a groin injury as of rd 9. Return date is TBC. Source.

Reds
Matt Gibbon - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Isaac Henry - Listed as injured for rd 2. As of rd 8 they said he isn’t far away. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Josh Flook- Limped off with a hamstring injury in rd 3. As of rd 8 they said he would still be out for a couple more weeks. Source. But we are now hearing on twitter that he might not return this season. Source.
Mason Gordon - Listed as injured for rd 2. Source.
Liam Wright - In Rd 4 he irritated the shoulder he had operated on late last year. As of rd 8 they are saying he will be another 2-8 weeks. Source.
Frankie Goldsbrough - Listed as injured as of rd 6. No other info yet. Source.
Harry Wilson - Out for up to six weeks before rd 9 with a broken arm. Source.
Filipo Daugunu - Out of rd 9 with a calf injury. Source.
Josh Nasser - Listed as injured in rd 9. 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.
Mahe Vailanu - Confirmed he broke his forearm in rd 6. A 6 week recovery would have him playing roughly rd 12. Source.
Max Jorgensen - Came off with a syndesmosis sprain. Has had his operation earlier in the week. They are quoting 6-8 weeks return, there is a good chance he will be more like three months in our opinion. Source.
Jake Gordon - Came off with an MCL injury in rd 4. Expected back in rd 9 but still listed as injured in rd 10. Source.
David Porecki - Pulled pregame rd 6 with another calf injury. Apparently they were hoping he returned in rd 8-9 but he didn’t recover in time.

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.
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.
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.
Ryan Coxon - Came off with a rib injury in rd 7. Source.
Dylan Pietsch - Came off 7 minutes into rd 8 with a quad injury. Going for scans. Source.

NEW ZEALAND
Blues
Reon Paul - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. Source.
Marcel Renata - Out of rd 9 with a calf injury. Source.

Chiefs
Wallace Sititi - Had an operation on his meniscus on the 17th of January. Origianally meant to miss the bulk of the season, but now they are saying he could be back in a month as of rd 9. He is apparently almost back to full contact. Source.
Liam Coombes Fabling - Suffered a knee injury. Return has been pushed back. Said to be a mid-term injury in rd 10. Source.
Fiti Sa - Has a long-term shoulder injury as of rd 2. Still considered a long term injury in rd 10. 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, still considered a long term injury in rd 10. Source.
Josh Lord - Suffered a knee injuryin rd 3. Before rd 5 they said he would be out for 4-6 weeks. Source. Before rd 10 they said he was still a “mid-term” injury. Source.

Crusaders
Dom Gardiner - Out with a hamstring injury. Originally aiming for rd 5, but now they are saying TBC. Source.
Braydon Ennor - Tore his hamstring in training leading in to rd 6, aiming to return in rd 13. Source.
George Bell - 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 6-8 weeks as of rd 10. Source.
Taylor Cahill - Missed rd 9 with an AC Joint injury. Expected back in rd 11-12. Source.

Highlanders
Sean Withy - Shown a red card for his sliding knee into Harry Potter’s head in rd 8. Has been banned for 3 weeks, which means he will return for the Crusaders. Source.
Hayden Michaels - Out of rd 9 with a hamstring injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Caleb Tangitau - Injured his groin in rd 8. Expected back rd 11-12. Source.


Hurricanes
Tjay Clarke - Out with a shoulder injury and targeting a rd 11 return. 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). Returned brought forward to rd 12. Source.
Harry Godfrey - Has a lower leg injury. Aiming to return in rd 13. Source.

PASIFIKA TEAMS

Fijian Drua
Epeli Momo - Out with a knee injury before rd 1, considered a long-term injury. Source.
Meli Derenalagi - His knee collapsed after trying to step off his left leg in rd 6. Nothing has been confirmed, but I would be quite surprised if he hadn’t just done his ACL, which would rule him out for the year. They have now confirmed it is a long term injury. Source.
Kitione Salawa - Came off in rd 6 with a thigh injury, we assume a quad tear. As of rd 9 it is seen as a short term injury. Source.
Ilaisa Droasese - Out as of rd 8 with a wrist injury. Considered short term as of rd 9. Source.
Frank Lomani - Out of rd 9 with a shoulder injury. Considered a short term injury. Source.

Moana Pasifika
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.
Losi Filipo - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Michael Curry - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Samiuela Moli - Out as of rd 7 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Tito Tuipulotu - Came off early with a right knee injury in rd 8.
Solomon Alaimalo - Missing rd 9 due to a foot injury. 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.
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.
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.
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.

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

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.