Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 8-9

8 weeks are done and dusted in Super Rugby Pacific, and 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 8:

Dylan Pietsch (Force) - Came off after 7 minutes with a quad injury. Going for scans. Source.
Klayton Thorn (Brumbies) - Out with a hamstring tear. Expected back round 12. Source.
Jack Debreczeni (Brumbies) - Out with a groin injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Out of rd 9 with a shoulder injury. Considered a short term injury. Source.
Harry Wilson (Reds) - Out for up to six weeks with a broken arm. Source.
Filipo Daugunu (Reds) - Out with a “lower limb” problem. During the game it looked to be a knee (likely MCL) injury he suffered in an awkward clean out. Source.
Josh Nasser (Reds) - Listed as injured in rd 9. Source.
Charlie Gamble (Waratahs) - Missing rd 9 due to illness. Source.
Darby Lancaster (Waratahs) - Missing rd 9 with a concussion. Source.

Tito Tuipulotu (Moana) - Came off early with a right knee injury.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Missing rd 9 due to an ankle injury. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo (Moana) - Missing rd 9 due to a foot injury. Source.
Sione Mafile'o (Moana) - Missing rd 9 due to a neck injury. Source.
Sean Withy (Highlanders) - Shown a red card for his sliding knee into Harry Potter’s head. Has been banned for 3 weeks, which means he will return for the Crusaders. Source.
Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders) - Replaced at half time due to a groin injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
Hayden Michaels (Highlanders) - Out of rd 9 with a hamstring injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Soane Vikena (Highlanders) - Out of rd 9 with an AC joint injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
TK Howden (Highlanders) - Out of rd 9 with a hamstring injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders) - Out of rd 9 with a knee injury. Expected back rd 10-11. Source.
Marcel Renata (Blues) - Out of rd 9 with a calf injury. Source.
Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Out with a quad injury. Expected back in rd 10. Source.
Taylor Cahill (Crusaders) - Out with an AC Joint injury. Expected back in rd 10-11. Source.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Out of rd 9 with an concussion. Expected back in rd 10-11. Source.

Likely Back for Round 9:

Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies) - Was knocked out making a tackle in rd 6, will go through return to play protocols. Aiming to play inr d 9 after their bye.
Kadin Pritchard (Brumbies) - Concussion. Aiming to play inr d 9 after their bye.

Jonah Lowe (Highlanders) - Out with a ACL injury. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Folau Fakatava (Highlanders) - Was ruled out on Thursday before rd 3 with a hamstring injury. Latest news is he is aiming for rds 8-9. Source.
Cameron Millar (Highlanders) - Suffered a sickening head clash with Danny Toala in rd 3. Now aiming to return for rd 7 or 8 but hasn’t returned yet. Source.
Oliver Haig (Highlanders) - Out with a foot injury. Expected back rd 9-10, did play club footy in rd 8. Source.
Riley Higgins (Hurricanes) - Apparently broke his hand in two places days before rd 1. Had surgery on Friday 14th Feb and played in the reserve side in rd 8.
Siale Lauaki (Hurricanes) - Suffered a Rib injury in rd 4. Played for the reserve side in rd 8. Source.
Daniel Sinkinson (Hurricanes) - Has a hamstring injury. Expected back round 8 but didn’t get named. Source.
Pepesana Patafilo (Moana) - Missed rd 8 with a concussion so we think he is a chance to return this week. Source.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Pulled pre-game with an Achilles tendon niggle. Expected back in rd 9-10. Source.
Ricky Riccitelli (Blues) - Expected back last week after missing since rd 5 with a chest injury. Was pulled late, but now named to start.
PJ Sheck (Blues) - Returns this week from a shoulder injury via the bench. Source.
Taufa Funaki (Blues) - Came off with a shoulder injury in rd 2. Looked like a dislocated shoulder to us. Makes his comeback off the bench.
Adrian Choat (Blues) - Came off with a knee injury in rd 2. Finally back on the bench.
Sione Havili Talitui (Moana) - Returning via the bench from his ankle injury that has kept him out since rd 3. Source.
James Lay (Moana) - Picked up an elbow injury in rd 5. Coming back via the bench. Source.

Returned in Round 8:

Fraser McReight (Reds) - Returned from his AC joint.
Jock Campbell (Reds) - Returned from a wrist/ forearm injury right via the bench for the first time since rd 2.
Matt Faessler (Reds) - Returned from a rd 5 leg injury.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Returned after being pulled pre-game in rd 7.
Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua) - Returned back from his rd 5 concussion.
Triston Reilly (Waratahs) - Played on the wing after recovering from his rd 7 shoulder injury.
Hugh Sinclair (Waratahs) - Returned after apparently being injured for rd 7.

Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Fractured his right hand in rd 4. Started again in rd 8.
AJ Lam (Blues)- Back after missing rd 5 with a leg injury.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Back after being pulled pregame rd 6.
Kurt Eklund (Blues) - Returned after being pulled pregame rd 6 with an injury.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Returned after missing rd 7 with sickness.
Kyren Taumoefolau (Moana) - Returned after missing rd 7 with a shoulder injury.
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa (Moana) - Returned after missing rd 7 with a quad injury.
Fine Inisi (Moana) - Listed as injured before round 1 with a hamstring injury. Finally made his comeback off the bench.
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs) - Returned via the bench after being pulled pregame rd 6.

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 13. 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.
Harrison Goddard - Came off with what looked like a shoulder injury in rd 7.

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.

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. 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 wasn't named. 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.

NEW ZEALAND
Blues
Zarn Sullivan - Currently out with a foot injury. Source.
Reon Paul - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. 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. 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 8 his return has been pushed back another 2 weeks. Source.
Dom Gardiner - Out with a hamstring injury. Originally aiming for rd 5, but now they are saying TBC. 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, aiming to return in rd 13. Source.
Kyle Preston - suffered a rib injury in rd 6. Will be back in rd 10. 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 8 weeks as of rd 9. 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 after he played club footy in rd 8. Source.
Nikora Broughton - Injured his ribs in rd 6. Aiming to return in rd 9-10. Source.
Hugh Renton - Out with a groin injury. Due back rd 9-10. Source.

Hurricanes
Tjay Clarke - Out with a shoulder injury and targetting 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.
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.
Harry Godfrey - Has a lower leg injury. Aiming to return in rd 12. Source.
Zach Gallagher - Pulled pregame rd 7 with a hamstring injury. Expected back in rd 12-13. 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. with the bye in the middle he will be back for rd 10. 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.

Moana Pasifika
Julian Savea - Out as of rd 3 with a knee injury. 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.
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.
Miracle Faiilagi - Has a hamstring injury as of rd 8. Source.
Tevita Ofa - Out since rd 8 with a hamstring 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.