Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 14-15

All the Super Rugby injuries in one place

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.

If you like what you read, please like, share, and review us everywhere people talk about rugby, and check out our Draft Rugby podcast or show. Tune in, rate, review, and share us. You’ll find us across all platforms on the links below:

Draft Rugby is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Note: The Casualty Ward will be released Sunday/ Monday for all paid subscribers, and Thursday for all free readers.

New Injuries Round 14:

Joseph Sua’ali’i (Waratahs) - pulled out with hammy tightness. Was expected to be a good chance to play round 15, but wasn’t named. Source.
Elia Canakaivata (Drua) - Came off after 65 minutes. Looked like it was only a severe cramp, so he should be fine for next week.
Emosi Tuqiri (Drua) - Only lasted 4 minutes off the bench before picking up a severe-looking leg (we think) injury.
Isikeli Rabitu (Drua) - Picked up his third yellow card of the season so will have to face the judiciary. He is likely to be banned for one game.
Isaac Henry (Reds) - Listed as injured before rd 15. Source.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Listed as injured before rd 15. Source.

TK Howden (Highlanders) - Pulled pregame with injury. No more details yet.
Nikora Broughton (Highlanders) - Looks to have injured his left knee. Aiming to return in the QF. Source.
Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders) - Now confirmed that he has a left Achilles rupture, requiring 6-9 months to return. Source.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Had a bad looking concussion. Hopefully he has a standard recovery so we would see him rd 16.
Reuben O’Neill (Chiefs) - Picked up a concussion in rd 14. Should be back rd 16. Source.
Lalakai Foketi (Chiefs) - Picked up a calf injury. Return date is tbc. Source.
Daniel Rona (Chiefs) - Injured his hamstring in rd 6, was named on the bench then pulled late. Back on the bench in rd 15. Source.
Pita Ahki (Blues) - Pulled late with a quad injury.
Ofa Tuʻungafasi (Blues) - Failed his HIA, will go through the normal concussion protocols.
Bradley Slater (Blues) - Failed his HIA, will go through the normal concussion protocols.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Failed his HIA, will go through the normal concussion protocols.
Taylor Cahill (Crusaders) - Now listed as having a hamstring injury. Aiming to return rd QF-SF. Source.
Maloni Kunawave (Crusaders) - Now listed as having a hamstring injury. Aiming to return rd SF. Source.
George Bell (Crusaders) - Now listed as having a calf injury. Aiming to return rd SF-GF Source.
Toby Bell (Crusaders) - Now listed as having a shoulder injury. Gone for the season. Source.
Mitch Drummond (Crusaders) - Now listed as having a shoulder injury. Gone for the season. Source.
Drew Wild (Hurricanes) - Listed as having a shoulder injury this week. Return date is TBC. Source.
Anaru Paenga-Morgan (Hurricanes) - Listed as having a concussion. Return date is Rd 16-QF. Source.
Josh Gray (Hurricanes) - Listed as having a calf injury. Return date is TBC. Source.

Likely Back for Round 15:

Inia Tabuavou (Drua) - Came off with a concussion in rd 11, will go through the normal protocols to return to play, so could be back this week.
Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs) - Suffered a concussion in rd 13. All going well, he would be back this week, but would need to be a late inclusion. Source.
Folau Fainga’a (Waratahs) - Succumbed to a left knee injury in rd 13 shortly after having it caught in a bit of an awkward tackle. They have eluded to the fact that he could return rd 15, but wasn’t named. Source.
Pete Samu (Waratahs) - Suffered a knee injury in rd 13. He seemed to be walking without any major issue before being taken off. Apparently he was a decent chance to play rd 15 but wasn’t named. Source.
Tate McDermott (Reds) - Suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery against the All Blacks in late September. Played club rugby in rd 14 and scored in his comeback. We would think he is a good chance to play this week. Source.
Josh Canham (Reds) - Right leg injury rd 4. His foot was planted and he twisted over it in a ruck. Needed to be assisted off by two people. We have heard it is actually a serious hamstring injury. Given he was spotted in a brace on the sideline, he may actually have a posterolateral corner (PLC) injury that can include the hamstring and some of the ligaments. Back this week.
Charlie Cale (Brumbies) - Injured his shoulder in rd 9. In rd 10 they announced he would be out for 4-6 weeks (Rd 15-16). Source.
Luke Reimer (Brumbies) - Knocked out in rd 12. so should be a good chance to return this week.
Doug Philipson (Force) - Missed the preseason with a knee injury. No longer listed as injured.

Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) - Was substituted at halftime after sustaining a knee injury early in the contest. Expected back rd 15. Source.
Josh Timu (Hurricanes) - Has an ankle injury as of rd 9. Return date is set at rd 15. Source.
Taine Roiri (Hurricanes) - Has a hamstring injury. Was aiming for rd 10, now pushed back to Rd 15. Source.
Arese Poliko (Hurricanes) - Expected back this week from a concussion. Source.
Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Missed rd 9 with calf muscle stiffness. Retore it, trying to return and is now expected back rd 15. Source.
Chay Fihaki (Crusaders) - Ruled out pregame rd 10 with a hamstring injury. Return date brought forward to rd 15. Source.
Taha Kemara (Crusaders) - Had an ice pack on the knee and was off at halftime in rd 12. Expected back rd 14. Source.
Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Didn’t return from halftime in rd 13 due to an unlisted injury. Back starting this week.
Patrick Pellegrini (Moana) - Suffered a category 1 concussion (clearly knocked out) in rd 11. Good chance he is fit this week, although the Moana staff don’t tell us much.
Paula Latu (Moana) - Has a head knock. Was unavailable for rd 12, so might be fit this week. Source.
Daniel Rona (Chiefs) - Injured his hamstring in rd 6, was named on the bench then pulled late. Back on the bench in rd 15. Source.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Shown a yellow card for a high tackle that was then upgraded to a red in rd 13. Was subsequently banned for two weeks, but somehow is named this week. Source.

Returned in Round 14:

Vaiolini Ekuasi (Force) - Pulled pregame to fly home for personal reasons in rd 12. Returned in rd 13. Started again this week.
Misinale Epenisa (Force) - Returned after overcoming a rd 12 concussion.
Ben Grant (Waratahs) - Returned via the bench from his concussion before rd 13.
Matt Philip (Waratahs) - Returned after missing last week with a short-term calf injury.
Jamie Adamson (Waratahs) - Missed last week with a cheekbone injury. We were suprised he was back quickly enough to play this week.
Kavaia Tagivetaua (Drua) - Came back off the bench after injuring his ankle back before rd 5.
Samu Tawake (Drua) - Returned via the bench after getting injured in rd 10.

Ruben Love (Hurricanes) - Recovered after missing last week with an unkown injury.
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Pulled pregame rd 10 with a quad injury. Made his return via the bench.
Brodie McAlister (Chiefs) - Came off the becnh after recovering from a rd 11 calf injury.
Marcel Renata (Blues) - Missed rd 13 with a chest injury or a concussion. Back to his normal self this week.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Pulled mid-week with an injury before rd 13. Recovered to start again this week.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Tuaina Taii Tualima - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 12. Source.

Reds
Nicholas Conway - Listed as injured in rd 4. Source.
Tom Lynagh - Still struggling with a calf injury. Source.
Trevor King - Newly added to the Reds injury squad for rd 12. Source.
Kingsley Uys - Newly added to the Reds injury squad for rd 12, but he has been injured for at least 2 weeks. Source.
Aidan Ross - Listed as injured in rd 12.
Frankie Goldsbrough - Damaged his shoulder against NZ U20’s during rd 12. Source.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Listed as injured for rd 14. Source.

Waratahs
James Hendren - Has been unavailable from rd 6 due to a wrist injury, now back in full team training before rd 11, we hear he is due back roughly rd 14. Source. Listed as having a hamstring injury before rd 13. Source.
Tom Lambert - Came off with a knee injury in rd 12. We can’t confirm the injury details yet, but it sounds like he won’t play again in Super Rugby this year.
Joey Walton - Came off with a neck injury in rd 12. Source.

Western Force
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 medium-term injury in rd 12. Source.
Ronan Leahy - Missing rd 9 with a knee injury. As of rd 12 listed as a short-term injury. Source.
Ben Donaldson - A quad injury ruled him out of rd 14. Said to be a short-term injury. Source.
Tom Robertson - Injured his calf and missed at least rd 14. Source.

NEW ZEALAND

Blues
Corey Evans - Missing rd 1 to 11 with an ankle injury. No confirmation on a return date. Source.
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 11 with a concussion. No return date set yet. Source.
Josh Fusitu’a - Injured his elbow in rd 2. We now know he has had an operation on his bicep, so we assume he ruptured it. They say he is targeting to play this season, but recovery should take at least 4 months (roughly June). Source.
Taufa Funaki - Came off the field with a shoulder injury late in the game in rd 11. Source.
Ben Ake - Came off in rd 12 after getting his foot caught spinning in a tackle. The mechanism looked like a syndesmosis injury; he was also grabbing at his shin, which fits our suspicion.
Josh Beehre - Missed rd 13 with a back injury, no confirmation on a return date. Source.
Sam Matenga - Listed as having a neck injury from rd 14. Source.
Codemeru Vai - Listed as having an ankle injury from rd 14. Source.
Dalton Papali’i - Broke his jaw in rd 13 and had surgery. Aiming to be fit for the semi or grand final. Source.

Chiefs
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Missed rd 8 with a foot injury. Aiming to return rd 16/QF. Source.
Emoni Narawa - Came off at halftime in rd 8 with a foot injury. Aiming to return rd 16-finals. Source.
Leroy Carter - Came off with a hamstring injury in rd 11. Aiming to return for the quarter finals. Source.

Crusaders
Liam Jack - Out with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 12. Source.
Aki Tuivailala - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Scott Barrett - Still finalising his return date from the sabbatical, but his intention is to return sometime in May. Source. Training with the squad before rd 11, at the time they said he was expected back in the next few weeks. Source.
Braydon Ennor - Pulled pregame rd 12. Has a hamstring injury and is expected back in 3 weeks (SF). Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Out with a neck injury. Return date is SF-after GF. Source.
Kurtis MacDonald - Tackled Perofeta in the air in rd 13, he landed on his head, so Kurtis was given a red card. Banned for 4 weeks, so he could only return in the grand final if needed.
Finlay Brewis - Listed as having a calf injury before rd 11. Expected back rd 16. Source.
Cullen Grace - “Busted” his patella in August for Canterbury. Aiming to return Rd 16. Source.
Will Tucker - Ruled out pregame rd 10 with a concussion. Return date was rd 15, now changed to TBC. Source.

Highlanders
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.
Finn Hurley - Suffered a hamstring injury in his first game of the season in rd 10. Expected back rd 16-QF. Source.

Hurricanes
Tom Allen - Was expected back from a leg injury for rd 2, but still down as injured. Source.
Tyrel Lomax - Returned from an ankle injury only to be pulled with a new ankle injury before rd 7. Aiming to return rd 16. Source.
Riley Higgins - Has a shoulder injury since before rd 12. His return date is TBC. Source.
Cam Roigard - Announced before rd 13 that he has a calf injury. Aiming to return rd 16. Source.
Ben Lopes - Missed rd 13 with a calf injury. 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.
Meli Tuni - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a knee injury. Source.
Aisea Nawai - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a leg injury. Source.
Isikeli Basiyalo - Came off in rd 10 straight after a dash down the sideline. He had his hammy taped up so we are assuming it is a hamstring muscle tear. He jogged off comfortably, but limped when walking which fits this diagnosis as well.
Motikiai Murray - Now listed as having an arm injury before rd 12. Source.
Iosefo Namoce - Pulled pregame rd 9. Not sure why.

Moana Pasifika
Tupou Afungia - Recovered from a neck injury, but suffered a concussion in rd 3. Now listed as a neck injury again in rd 6. Source.
Lolani Faleiva - Has a shoulder injury. No return date announced. Source.
Julian Savea - Came off in rd 6 with a nasty-looking shoulder injury. We suspect he has dislocated it, so he will be out for some time. Source.
Tito Tuipulotu - Missing rd 7 with a thumb injury. Source.
Monu Moli - Has a new foot injury as of rd 9. No further details yet. Source.
Ngani Laumape - Has a new knee injury as of rd 9. No further details yet. Source.
Tevita Ofa - Has a new finger injury as of rd 9. No further details yet. Source.
Niko Jones - Limped off the field in rd 9 with a calf injury. Source.
Melani Matavao - Hurt his left knee shooting out of the line in defence in rd 10. We haven’t heard any more info yet. Source.
Lalomilo Lalomilo - Came off with what looked like quite a bad calf injury. Initially, he reacted like he had ruptured his Achilles, but he was eventually able to slowly walk off the pitch. Source.
Jonathan Taumateine - Pulled pregame rd 12 with a calf injury. Source.

Gone for the season:

Dan Nelson (Brumbies) - Fractured his fibula in his lower leg before d 5. Ruled out for the remainder of the season. Source.
Kye Oates (Brumbies) - Fracture dislocation of his ankle before rd 8. He has already had an operation. They said he is aiming to be back in 12 weeks (so won’t play again this season), but I think this is probably being hopeful. Source.
Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua) - Commentary said that Loganimasi came off with a dislocated wrist in rd 7. He has now been ruled out for the season with an arm injury, so we believe this is the reason. Source.
Epeli Momo (Drua) - Ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury before rd 8. Source.
Haereiti Hetet (Drua) - Now listed as having a shoulder injury, commentary confirmed he would be out for the season during rd 14. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Force) - Came down from taking a highball very awkwardly on his ankle in rd 8. The alarm bells rang after he said his “career” was over in a rd 10 interview; this has now been confirmed to be a mistake; he will just miss the rest of Super Rugby 2026. Source.
Henry Robertson (Force) - Tore his ACL in rd 13, will be out for the year. Source.
Angus Blyth (Waratahs) - Suffered a left ankle injury in rd 13. Judging by how his foot got caught under the maul, and how it was being assessed, he looks to have suffered a syndesmosis injury. This is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Ethan Dobbins (Waratahs) - Suffered a Lisfranc injury (foot) in rd 13 and will miss the rest of the season. Source.

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.
Josh Tengblad (Highlanders) - Suffered an ACL injury in rd 5. Out for the season. Source.
Reesjan Pasitoa (Highlanders) - Sustained an ankle fracture in rd 10, requiring surgery and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 Super Rugby Season. Source.
Josh Bartlett (Highlanders) - As of rd 12 he has a foot injury. Gone for the season. 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.
James White (Crusaders) - Suffered a shoulder injury and will be out for the rest of the season. Source.
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders) - Ruled out after rd 7 for the year with an infection of a disc in his back (Discitis). He will make a full recovery, but won’t play until at least the first international window. Source.
Jayden Sa (Chiefs) - Suffered a new shoulder injury in rd 5. Confirmed he is out for the season. Source.

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

Love what we do? Sign up and support us on Substack so that we can keep developing our products and information!

Written by your local rugby nerd, Harrison Dale.