Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rds 5-6

All the Super Rugby injuries in one place

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New Injuries Round 5:

Zuriel Togiatama (Drua) - Pulled late pregame due to illness. Returning in rd 6.
Joseva Tamani (Drua) - Added to the casualty ward for rd 6 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Lington Leli (Brumbies) - Came off after 30 minutes. Looked to have injured his wrist early but seemed fine playing on. No confirmation that it was actually an injury.
David Feliuai (Brumbies) - Off after 54 minutes after failing an HIA. Will go through concussion protocols.
Charlie Gamble (Waratahs) - Pulled pregame, apparently for a hamstring injury he sustained in warm-up. Source.
Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs) - Unavailable for rd 6 due to a cork. Source.
James Hendren (Waratahs) - Unavailable for rd 6 due to a cork. Source.
Josh Flook (Reds) - Grabbed at his hip or thigh after diving for a tackle on Pete Samu. Was quickly subbed after. We aren’t sure what the injury was.
Misinale Epenisa (Force) - Pulled pre-game due to illness.

Tyrell Lomax (Hurricanes) - Came off the bench but couldn’t finish the game after suffering an ankle injury. Out for 1-3 weeks. Source.
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes) - Suffered a concussion before rd 6. Out for 1 week. Source.
Kini Naholo (Hurricanes) - Was expected to return from his ACL Recon. But suffered a foot injury. Aiming to play rd 8-10. Source.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Limped off early with a heel injury. Expected to be back rd 9-10. Source.
James White (Crusaders) - Suffered a shoulder injury and will be out for the rest of the season. Source.
Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders) - Suffered a calf injury. Aiming to return rd 9-10. Source.
Tomas Lavanini (Highlanders) - Came off for a concussion after copping a bad high shot.
Cam Millar (Highlanders) - Came off for and failed an HIA. Will go through the concussion protocol, so will be out for at least 12 days.
Josh Tengblad (Highlanders) - Suffered a knee injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Sam Nock (Blues) - Suffered a concussion from an Augustine Pulu diving coat hanger.
Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) - Missing rd 6 with a concussion. Source.
Augustine Pulu (Moana) - Was given a red card for the high tackle on Nock. Banned for 3 weeks, so will return in rd 10. Source.
Lolani Faleiva (Moana) - Has a shoulder injury. No return date announced. Source.
Jayden Sa (Chiefs) - Suffered a new shoulder injury. Return date is TBC. Source.
Fiti Sa (Chiefs) - Suffered a new quad injury. Aiming to return round 8. Source.

Likely Back for Round 6:

Corey Toole (Brumbies) - Was hoping to play rd 5 after missing the previous week with a 2cm quad tear. Pulled late again, assuming he hasn’t had a flare up then he should play rd 6. Source.
James Slipper (Brumbies) - Rested in rd 5 so should play. Source.
Mesulame Dolokoto (Drua) - Was name dropped in rd 3 commentary that he is expected to return from his knee injury after the rd 4 bye. Source. Then tore his calf at training. Played Waratahs A last weekend, so should be available for selection again now.
Zuriel Togiatama (Drua) - Pulled late pregame due to illness. Named to Return in rd 6.
Hunter Paisami (Reds)- Returning from the ankle injury which cost him the last 2 rounds this week. Source.

Tony Tafa (Hurricanes) - Has a concussion in rd 5. Expected back rd 6. Source.
Hugh Renton (Highlanders) - Had off-season surgery. No longer listed as injured in rd 3 so might be returning via their development side. Source.
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Suffered a concussion in rd 4. Hopefully back this week.
Kaylum Boshier (Chiefs) - Lasted two minutes as an injury replacement in rd 4 before coming off with his own concussion. Hopefully back this week.
Jared Proffit (Chiefs) - In rd 3 he went for an HIA late in the game. No word on whether he passed or failed it but he didn’t play rd 4. Sounds a good chance to return after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Listed as injured with a groin injury as of rd 4. Return date is currently tbc. Sounds a good chance to return after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Brodie McAlister (Chiefs) - Suffered a broken hand at training in the last week of January. Set to sideline him for the first three rounds which means he should be back after the rd 5 bye. Source.
Xavier Roe (Chiefs) - Injured his ankle for rd 4. Back on the bench this week. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo (Moana) - Suffered a concussion in rd 4. Hopefully back this week.
Toby Bell (Crusaders) - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC, but an uneventful recovery would have him available this week. Source.
Mitch Drummond (Crusaders) - Recovering from a concussion. Not listed as injured this week despite not making the 23.
Jamie Hannah (Crusaders) - Limped off with an ankle injury in rd 4. Recovered quicker than expected to start this week. Source.
Corey Kellow (Crusaders) - Picked up a rib injury in rd 4. Expected back 7-8, but no longer lsited as injured. Didn’t makae the 23. Source.
George Bell (Crusaders) - Recovered quickly from his rd 3 foot injury. Back starting again this week.
Bradley Slater (Blues) - Returning from an abdominal injury for rd 6.

Returned in Round 5:

Tim Ryan (Reds) - Returned after being rested last week.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - Was back starting after being rested for rd 4.
Nick Frost (Brumbies) - Started at lock in his first game of the year.
Harry Potter (Waratahs) - Returned from a toe injury via the bench.
Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua) - started after recovering from a hip injury in rd 2.
Isikeli Rabitu (Drua) - Limped off in rd 3 but recovered to start last weekend.

Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Started after being rested for rd 4. Source.
Cole Forbes (Blues) - Returned at full back after recovering from a rd 3 injury.
Caleb Delany (Hurricanes) - Made his first start of the year having recovered from a calf injury.
Ruben Love (Hurricanes) - Sustained an ankle injury while training with the squad in the lead-up to round 1. Played 40 minutes in his comeback.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Made his first appearance from the bench after recovering from a thumb injury.
William Havili (Moana) - Suffered a neck strain in rd 2. Back starting this week.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Moana) - Failed an HIA in rd 3, back starting this week.
Tito Tuipulotu (Moana) - Started after being pulled pregame with an injury in rd 3.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Tom Wright - Expected to be sidelined until at least May as he recovers from an ACL injury he suffered against South Africa in August. A standard return to play date would be 9 months, although it can vary between 6-12 months. Source.
Allan Alaalatoa - Will miss the start of the Super season due to a back injury that has plagued him since the back end of last year. Apparently, his scan doesn’t give a single clear reason for his symptoms. As of rd 4, he says he has started Scrum work but still has no clear return date yet. Source.
Ollie Sapsford - Sustained a hamstring injury during training so was pulled pregame rd 4. Expected back in 2-4 weeks as of rd 6. Source.
Rhys Van Nek - Suffered a thumb injury in rd 4. Consulting a surgeon to determine a RTP time. Source.
Lachlan Lonergan - Tore his ACL on the 9th of July playing for the Brumbies against the Lions. Played Brumbies runners in rd 5 so should be ready for the top squad very soon.

Reds
Tate McDermott - Suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery against the All Blacks in late September. In an interview during rd 3 he said he had a little setback and would be back in 2-3 months (so sometime in May). Source.
Massimo De Lutiis - Listed as injured since before rd 1. No info on what it is. Source.
Will McCulloch - Listed as injured in rd 1. Source.
Nicholas Conway - Listed as injured in rd 4. Source.
Will Ross - Listed as injured in rd 3. Source.
Matt Faessler - Came off early in rd 3 with knee ligament damage (we assume MCL or LCL). They have said he could miss up to four or five weeks. Source.
Tom Lynagh - Hasn’t played since the Lions series as he deals with concussion and hamstring issues. Was originally aiming to be back for rd 4 but is said to be in the frame again from rd 5. Source.
Lachie Anderson - Suffered a serious wrist injury trying to tackle Tualima in rd 4. He went to the hospital and will be out for an extended period of time. Source.
Josh Canham - 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.

Waratahs
Austin Durbidge - Did have a forearm injury. Changed to appendicitis in rd 5. Source.
Eamon Doyle - Currently out as of rd 5 with an ankle injury. Source.
Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii - Ruled out of action for six-to-eight weeks due to a hamstring injury in the warm-up before rd 4. Source.

Western Force
Doug Philipson - Missed the preseason with a knee injury, and still listed as a long-term injury in rd 1. Source.
Feao Fotuaika - Missed the first trial with a foot injury. Considered a medium-term injury as of rd 1. Source.
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 long-term injury in rd 3. Source.
Dylan Pietsch - Out with a plantar fascia injury. Hopefully going to return after their NZ trip and the rd 6 bye. Source.
Vaiolini Ekuasi - Picked up a quad injury in rd 4. Listed as a short term injury. Source.

NEW ZEALAND

Blues
Patrick Tuipulotu - Missed the All Blacks’ northern tour as he recovers from AC (shoulder) surgery in October. His current return is aimed at rd 9. Source.
Corey Evans - Missing rd 1 to 6 with an ankle injury. No confirmation on a return date. Source.
Jordan Lay - Missed rd 1 to 6 with a concussion. No return date set yet. Source.
Josh Fusitu’a - Came off at halftime in rd 2. We now know it was for an elbow injury. Source.
Flyn Yates - Listed as injured from rd 3 with a neck injury. Source.
Stephen Perofeta - Ruled out pregame rd 4 as a precautionary measure for a “minor injury” that we now know was his calf. Given this has been such a big issue for him in the past, hopefully, it is nothing too serious. Source.

Chiefs
Isaac Hutchinson - Recovering from a knee injury. Aiming to return in round 8. Source.
Benet Kumeroa - Went down with a right ankle injury in rd 4. He could walk (so shouldn’t be fractured), but he needed to be helped off the field. My gut says 6 weeks.
Wallace Sititi - Out as of rd 4 with a hamstring injury. Was aiming for rd 6, now pushed back to rd 8-10. Source.

Crusaders
Scott Barrett - Still finalising his return date from the sabbatical, but his intention is to return sometime in May. Source.
Maloni Kunawave - Came off with a hamstring injury in the trial on the 30th of Jan. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Johnny McNicholl - Out with a hamstring injury. Was aiming to return in rd 5, now listed as rd 8-10. Source.
Liam Jack - Out with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 9-11. Source.
Cooper Roberts - Out with a Fibula injury. Aiming to return in rd 8-10. Source.
Cullen Grace - Currently has a knee injury. Still no set return date yet. Source.
Macca Springer - Out with a Quad injury. Was meant to return for rd 3, now extended to rd 9-10. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Still recovering from hip injury as of rd 4. Return date is rd 8. Source.
Tamaiti Williams - Suspended for three weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play in his team’s win over the Chiefs in rd 3. So should return in rd 8 after their bye.
Dom Gardiner - Picked up an ankle and knee injury in rd 4. Expected back rd 8-9. Source.
Taha Kemara - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC, but an uneventful recovery would have him available any time now. Source.
Aki Tuivailala - Concussed in rd 4. Return date TBC, but an uneventful recovery would have him available any time now. Source.

Highlanders
Finn Hurley - Has a “stress around his foot”, which sounds like a stress fracture. Originally expected back in rd 5, now pushed back to rd 9. Source.
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.
Saula Ma’u - Carrying a shoulder injury. Expected back in rd 8. Source.
Jonah Lowe - Came off late with what looked like a left shoulder anterior dislocation in rd 4. Interestingly, he is only meant to be out for 1-2 weeks. Source.

Hurricanes
Tom Allen - Was expected back from a leg injury for rd 2, but still down as injured. Source.
Josh Timu - Out with a foot injury. Expected back rd 9-11. Source.
Jai Tamati - Looks to have picked up an ankle injury after rd 2. Expected back rds 11-13. Source.
Taine Roiri - Has a hamstring injury. Aiming to be back in rd 10. Source.
Ngane Punivai - Listed as having a hamstring injury before rd 5. Return date is TBC. 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.
Simione Kuruvoli - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Aisea Nawai - Listed as out as of rd 2 with a leg injury. Source.
Temo Mayanavanua - Right knee injury in rd 2. Will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Source.
Epeli Momo - Listed as having a hamstring injury as of rd 5. Source.
Kavaia Tagivetaua - Listed as having an ankle injury as of rd 5. Source.

Moana Pasifika
Jimmy Tupou - Did have an elbow injury. Apparently now a calf injury. No return date announced. Source. Source.
Israel Leota - Came off in rd 2 with an ankle sprain. Source.
Jonathan Taumateine - Picked up a knee injury in rd 3. Source.
Melani Matavao - Picked up a calf injury in rd 3. Source.
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.

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.

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.
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.

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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.