Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 6-7

Already 6 weeks are done in Super Rugby Pacific! 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 6:

David Porecki (Waratahs) - Pulled pregame with another calf injury. Apparently they are hoping he returns in rd 8-9.
Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs) - Confirmed he has broken his forearm. Source.
Triston Reilly (Waratahs) - Missing rd 7 with a shoulder injury. He looked to have done it making a tackle in a game so we are guessing it was an instability episode or AC Joint injury. Source.
Meli Derenalagi (Drua) - His knee collapsed after trying to step off his left leg. 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.
Kitione Salawa (Drua) - Pulled at half time after only entering the field at the 10 minute mark. There was no comment on the change but we suspect it must have been an injury.
Mesake Doge (Drua) - Has been cited for dangerous play, so will go to the judiciary. Source.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Pulled pregame with a knee injury, so we assume it is an ongoing niggle from his rd 4 injury.
Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies) - Was knocked out making a tackle, will go through return to play protocols. Aiming to play inr d 9 after their bye.
Kadin Pritchard (Brumbies) - Concussion, will go through return to play protocols. Aiming to play inr d 9 after their bye.

Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs) - Pulled pregame. We aren’t sure why.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Pulled from the starting lineup on Friday. We aren’t sure why. He is named on the bench in rd 7.
Kyle Preston (Crusaders) - Suffered a rib injury. Will be back in rd 8 or 9. Source.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Pulled from the lineup on Thursday after suffering an injury ad had to be carted off the field. We aren’t sure what it was. Source.
Kurt Eklund (Blues) - Pulled pregame with an injury. We aren’t sure what it was.
Sefo Kautai (Highlanders) - Came off for an HIA shortly after coming onto the field. Has recovered in time to play rd 7. Source.
Nikora Broughton (Highlanders) - Injured his ribs in rd 6. Aiming to return in rd 8-9. Source.
Finn Hurley (Highlanders)- Again listed as injured before rd 7 with a quadriceps injury. We assume it is the same as the last one earlier in the season. Source.
Harry Godfrey (Hurricanes) - Has a lower leg injury. Aiming to return in rd 11. Source.
Kyren Taumoefolau (Moana) - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Losi Filipo (Moana) - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Michael Curry (Moana) - Out as of rd 7 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Samiuela Moli (Moana) - Out as of rd 7 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa (Moana) - Out as of rd 7 with a quad injury. Source.

Likely Back for Round 7:

David Feliuai (Brumbies) - Suffered a concussion in rd 6. Expected back in rd 7. Source.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs) - Out since rd 3 with a toe injury to his plantar plate. Expected back rd 7. Source.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) - Picked up a groin injury in rd 3. Played Waratahs A in rd 6. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs) - Played Waratahs A in rd 6 on his return from injury. Source.
Josh Nasser (Reds) - On the bench after being listed as injured in rd 6. Source.

Ngatungane Punivai (Hurricanes) - Knocked himself out trying to tackle Tavatavanawai in rd 5. Will have to go through the concussion protocols but would be a chance to return.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Limped off the field with an ankle injury in rd 5. Was assessed through the week before eventually being ruled out of rd 6. So we suspect it will only be a minor injury. Source.
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders) - Pulled from the squad late rd 5 as a precautionary move to give him time to get over quad injury. Now has no set return date (mind you they had no return date for Grace in rd 5 and he returned in rd 6). Source.
Solomon Alaimalo (Moana) - Returned after missing rd 6 with a shoulder injury.

Returned in Round 6:

Nick Champion de Crespigny (Force) - Back after missing rd 5 with a concussion.
Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Recovered from his rd 4 knee injury.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) - Returned from his fibula fracture via the bench.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - Made his long-awaited return from a preseason hamstring tear.

Tito Tuipulotu (Moana) - Returned from a knee injury via the bench.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Back from his red card after serving his two week band and passing tackle school.
Cameron Suafoa (Blues) - Back after being pulled pregame last week.
Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs) - Returned from a rd 4 concussion.
Noah Hotham (Crusaders) - Suffered a syndesmosis injury in rd 1. Back off the bench this week. Source.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - Started after injuring his hamstring in rd 4.
Finn Hurley (Highlanders)- Returned after being pulled pregame in rd 3 with a quadriceps injury.

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.
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.

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.
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.
Matt Faessler - Came off after feeling something high in his leg in rd 5. So we expect it is a hamstring or quad tear. Source.
Fraser McReight - Suffered an AC joint injury diving for his try in rd 5. They are saying it is nothing sinister and that they were planning on resting him for rd 6. Source. Not listed as injured for rd 7.
Frankie Goldsbrough - Listed as injured as of rd 6. No other info yet. 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.

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.
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,

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.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi - Pulled pregame rd 5 with a neck injury. No further update yet. Source.
AJ Lam - Came off with a leg injury in rd 5. No word on a return date yet. 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.
Anton Lienert-Brown -Pulled pregame rd 5 with a leg injury. Only expected to be a short term injury. Source.

Crusaders
Johnny McNicholl - Out with a hamstring tear. As of rd 7 his return has been pushed back another 3-4 weeks. Source.
Dom Gardiner - Out with a hamstring injury. Originally aiming for rd 5, but now they are saying rd 9. 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.
Braydon Ennor - Tore his hamstring in training leading in to rd 6, no set return date yet. 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. Source.
Jonah Lowe - Out with a ACL injury. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Folau Fakatava - Was ruled out on Thursday before rd 3 with a hamstring injury. Latest news is he is aiming for rds 8-9. Source.
Hugh Renton - Out with a groin injury. Due back rd 8-9. 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 11 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). Returned brought forward to rd 12. 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.
Motikiai Murray - Red carded for his high tackle on Goddard in rd 5, and banned for 3 weeks. Is not eligible for tackle school. Source.
Selestino Ravutaumada - Failed his HIA in rd 5. We suspect he will be back in rd 8 after the bye. 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 and hurting his knee. See the video here.
James Lay - Picked up an elbow injury in rd 5. Source.
Ardie Savea - Came off at half time in rd 5 with hammy tightness. Didn’t play rd 6 but not expected to be serious. 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.

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.