Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 15-16

All the Super Rugby injuries in one place

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New Injuries Round 15:

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) - Did not make the trip to Auckland while he waited on the birth of his third child. We would think he is likely to play rd 16 given it is at home. Source.
Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies) - Limped off during the warm-up with a knee injury and was replaced before kick-off. Source.
Teddy Wilson (Waratahs) - Came off for an HIA after 36 mins and didn’t return. Managed to be named to play off the bench in rd 16.
Ioane Moananu (Waratahs) - Didn’t train all week due to a sore right knee. Then seemed to aggravate it badly and had to be taken off after 68 minutes. Back playing rd 16 regardless.
Charlie Gamble (Waratahs) - Out of rd 16 with a thumb injury. Source.
Mesake Vocevoce (Drua) - Pulled pregame with a back injury. Source.

Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Restrained his calf. He is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks, so they have ruled him out for the rest of the season. Source.
Chay Fihaki (Crusaders) - Came off for an HIA after 46 minutes and didn’t return, so we assume he will have to go through concussion protocols.
Kyle Brown (Chiefs) - The commentators announced that he came off in the second half with a hamstring injury.
Isaac Hutchinson (Chiefs) - Has a concussion. His return date is tbc. Source.
Ollie Norris (Chiefs) - Has a knee injury. Aiming to return in the quarter-finals. Source.
Xavier Roe (Chiefs) - Has a hamstring injury. His return date is TBC. Source.
Tuna Tuitama (Moana) - Pulled pregame. Back in rd 16.
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) - Pulled pregame with a hamstring injury. Hopefully back for the QF. Source.
Fehi Fineanganofo (Hurricanes) - Out with a hamstring injury. Hoping to play the SF. Source.
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) - Knocked out in an unlucky collision. Will go through the standard RTP protocols, so hopefully back for the SF. Source.
Siale Lauaki (Hurricanes) - Off after 30 minutes with a hamstring injury. Expected back for the QF. Source.
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) - Left the field with a shoulder “niggle”. We suspect it was his shoulder that he hurt in the act of scoring. Seen as a “week to week” prospect. Source.
Ngane Punivai (Hurricanes) - Came off with a shoulder injury. Seen as a “week to week” prospect. Source.
Jonah Lowe (Highlanders) - Off after 17 minutes. No word as to why yet.
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders) - Given a red card for a high tackle on Flanders. Banned for 4 weeks. Yet to be determined if he can drop it by one week through tackle school given he did it last year. Source.
Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Out of rd 16 with a quad strain. Source.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Sitting our rd 16 with a neck injury. Source.
Jimmy Tupou (Moana Pasifika) - Listed as having a back injury in rd 16. Source.

Likely Back for Round 16:

Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs) - Suffered a concussion in rd 13. All going well, he should be fit this week. Source.
Pete Samu (Waratahs) - Suffered a knee injury in rd 13. He seemed to be walking without any major issues before being taken off. Apparently, he had a decent chance to play rd 15 but wasn’t named. Source.
Joseph Sua’ali’i (Waratahs) - Pulled out with hammy tightness again in rd 14. It was expected to be a good chance to play round 15, but wasn’t named. Source.
Jake Gordon (Waratahs) - Missed rd 15 due to illness. We don’t know the details, but there would be a good chance he is fit for this week. Source.
Charlie Cale (Brumbies) - Injured his shoulder in rd 9. In rd 10 they announced he would be out for 4-6 weeks (Rd 15-QF). Source.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Listed as injured before rd 15, apparently only a niggle so maybe they will play rd 16. Source.
Aidan Ross (Reds) - Listed as injured in rd 12. Back starting this week.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Reds) - No longer listed as injured after missing the last two weeks, but wasn’t picked. Source.
George Bridge (Force) - Rested in rd 15 due to soreness, so we think he should be back this week. Source.
Ben Donaldson (Force) - A quad injury ruled him out of rd 14. In an interview during rd 15 he said he was hopeful he would play rd 16. Source.

Pita Ahki (Blues) - Pulled late rd 14 with a quad injury.
Ofa Tuʻungafasi (Blues) - Failed his HIA in rd 14 will go through the normal concussion protocols, so he might play this week.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Failed his HIA in rd 14 will go through the normal concussion protocols, so he might play this week.
Corey Evans (Blues) - Missed the year to date with an ankle injury. Back on the bench this week.
Josh Fusitu’a (Blues) - Injured his elbow in rd 2. We now know he has had an operation on his bicep, so we assume he ruptured it. He returns this week on the bench. Source.
Josh Beehre (Blues) - Missed since rd 13 with a back injury, back starting this week. Source.
Codemeru Vai (Blues) - Listed as having an ankle injury from rd 14-15. Back on the bench this week. Source.
Finlay Brewis (Crusaders) - Listed as having a calf injury before rd 11. Expected back rd 16. Source.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - “Busted” his patella in August for Canterbury. Aiming to return for the QF. Source.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Returned from an ankle injury only to be pulled with a new ankle injury before rd 7. Aiming to return rd 16. Source.
Cam Roigard (Hurricanes) - Announced before rd 13 that he has a calf injury. Aiming to return rd 16. Source.
Lalakai Foketi (Chiefs) - Picked up a calf injury. Back on the bench this week. Source.
Tuna Tuitama (Moana) - Pulled pregame last week. Back in rd 16.

Returned in Round 15:

Tate McDermott (Reds) - Suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery against the All Blacks in late September. Started in the 9 jersey this week.
Josh Canham (Reds) - Returned from a rd 4 hammy hamstring injury.
Luke Reimer (Brumbies) - Returned via the bench from his rd 12 concussion.
Meli Tuni (Drua) - Started after being out since rd 2 with a knee injury.
Iosefo Namoce (Drua) - Pulled pregame rd 9. Played off the bench this week.
Joey Walton (Waratahs) - Came off with a neck injury in rd 12. Recovered to play off the bench in rd 15.

Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) - Returned from a knee injury via the bench.
Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Played his first game since rd 8 after overcoming a calf injury.
Chay Fihaki (Crusaders) - Played on the wing, having recovered from a pregame rd 10 hamstring injury.
Taha Kemara (Crusaders) - Came on at half-time having recovered from a rd 12 knee injury.
Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Started again this week after picking up an injury during rd 13.
Liam Jack (Crusaders) - Returned from a hamstring injury to make his debut off the bench.
Patrick Pellegrini (Moana) - Returned after recovering from his nasty-looking round 11 concussion.
Paula Latu (Moana) - Played off the bench having recovered from a concussion.
Daniel Rona (Chiefs) - Played off the bench after Injuring his hamstring in rd 6.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Returned from a ban after a rd 13 red card.
TK Howden (Highlanders) - Pulled pregame rd 14 with injury. Recovered to start 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.
Frankie Goldsbrough - Damaged his shoulder against NZ U20’s during rd 12. Source.
Isaac Henry - Listed as injured before rd 15. Source.

Waratahs
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.
Austin Durbidge - Has a concussion as of rd 16. 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.
Tom Robertson - Injured his calf and missed at least rd 14. Source.

NEW ZEALAND

Blues
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 11 with a concussion. No return date set yet. Source.
Bradley Slater - Failed his HIA in rd 14 will go through the normal concussion protocols, but won’t play rd 16.
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.
Sam Matenga - Listed as having a neck 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
Leroy Carter - Came off with a hamstring injury in rd 11. Aiming to return for the quarter finals. Source.
Damian McKenzie - Had a bad-looking concussion in rd 14. Hopefully back for the QF. Source.
Reuben O’Neill - Picked up a concussion in rd 14. Return date is TBC. Source.
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Missed rd 8 with a foot injury. His return has gone from the QF to TBC before rd 16. Source.
Emoni Narawa - Came off at halftime in rd 8 with a foot injury. As of rd 16 he is aiming to play in the semi final. Source.

Crusaders
Aki Tuivailala - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC. Source.
Braydon Ennor - Pulled pregame rd 12. Has a hamstring injury and is expected back for the QF-SF. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Out with a neck injury. Return date the GF at the earliest. 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.
Taylor Cahill - Listed as having a hamstring injury before rd 15. Aiming to return rd QF-SF. Source.
Maloni Kunawave - Listed as having a hamstring injury before rd 15. Aiming to return rd SF-GF. Source.
George Bell - Listed as having a calf injury before rd 15. Aiming to return rd QF-SF. Source.

Highlanders
Finn Hurley - Suffered a hamstring injury in his first game of the season in rd 10. Expected back rd 16-QF. Source.
Nikora Broughton - Looks to have injured his left knee. Aiming to return in the QF. Source.

Hurricanes
Ben Lopes - Missed rd 13 with a calf injury. Source.
Drew Wild - Listed as having a shoulder injury before rd 15. Return date is the SF. Source.
Josh Gray - Listed as having a calf injury before rd 15. Return date is TBC. Source.
Anaru Paenga-Morgan - Listed as having a concussion before rd 15. Return date is the QF. 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.
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.
Emosi Tuqiri - Picked up a severe-looking leg (we think) injury in rd 14.

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.
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. McKellar said he was gone for the season in his post match pressor for rd 15.

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.
Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders) - Ruptured his left Achilles in rd 14, requiring 6-9 months to return. 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.
Riley Higgins (Hurricanes) - Has a shoulder injury since before rd 12. Confirmed he 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 Cameron (Blues) - As of rd 16 he has an injury to his legs. He is out for the season. Source.
Hemopo Cunningham (Blues) - As of rd 16 he is out with a foot injury. 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.
Toby Bell (Crusaders) - Listed as having a season-ending shoulder injury as of rd 15. Source.
Mitch Drummond (Crusaders) - Listed as having a season-ending shoulder injury as of rd 15. Source.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Returned from his sabbatical, but now carrying a back injury. Officially ruled out for the season. Source.
Will Tucker (Crusaders) - Ruled out pregame rd 10 with a concussion. As of rd 16 he is out with a shoulder injury for the season. Source.
Xavier Saifoloi (Crusaders) - Rd 16 he is listed as having a shoulder injury, Out for the season. Source.
Jayden Sa (Chiefs) - Suffered a new shoulder injury in rd 5. Confirmed he is out for the season. Source.

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Written by your local rugby nerd, Harrison Dale.