Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rd 5
Week 5 had only 4 games played in Super Rugby Pacific so it was a quieter week in the Casualty Ward is filling up. The Casualty Ward is here to deliver all your injury news. 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 released each week (Sydney time). Tune in, rate, review and share us. You’ll find us across all platforms on the links below:
Returned in Rd 5:
Liam Wright (Reds) - Back from his right shoulder injury in rd 1 via the bench.
Isaac Henry (Reds) - Back via the bench after recovering from a broken bone in his foot at training.
Nemani Nagusa (Drua) - Made his comeback from a rd 2 knee injury.
Folau Fainga'a (Brumbies) - Sprained his ankle in rd 3 but managed to play rd 5.
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Back from injury via the bench.
Kaleb Trask (Chiefs) - Got his first run of the season starting at fullback.
Likely back this week (Rd 6):
Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Waratahs) - His return has pushed back to rd 6 after recovering from a hip injury. Source.
James Turner (Waratahs) - Rolled his ankle during the rd 3 warm-up and was ruled out of the game. Expected to return rd 7. Source.
Caleb Muntz (Drua) - Suffered a concussion in rd 3. Named on the bench this week.
Kyle Godwin (Force) - Suffered an HIA in rd 4. Named to start this week.
Toni Pulu (Force) - Suffered an HIA in rd 4. Named to start this week.
Kane Koteka (Force) - Came off with a bruised knee in rd 2. Makes his return this week.
George Worth (Rebels) - Suffered a concussion in rd 2, named on the bench this week.
Tate McDermott (Reds) - Suffered a high ankle (Syndesmosis) injury in rd 2. Got back in only 4 weeks to start rd 6.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Was pulled late for rd 3 because he was "crook" (we assume COVID). Back starting this week.
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) - Suffered an MCL injury on the 8th of Feb. Back starting this week.
Cam Roigard (Hurricanes) - Suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason which has lead to injury cover being called in to the squad. Makes his comeback via the bench.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Tore a ligament in his knee in rd 1 and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, so could be back around week 5. Source.
Brad Weber (Chiefs) - Back from COVID Isolation in rd 5.
Josh Ioane (Chiefs) - Back from COVID Isolation in rd 5.
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Chiefs) - Back starting after recovering from either COVID or an injury.
Tom Robinson (Blues) - Has been battling an ankle injury and missed round 4. It sounds like it isn't too bad so we think he could be back this week. Source.
Beauden Barrett (Blues) - Was pulled late rd 4 from the match. The team has said they have COVID in the camp, but haven't said if this is why he was pulled. Source.
Nepo Laulala (Blues) - Was pulled late from the match for rd 4. The team has said they have COVID in the camp, but haven't said if this is why he was pulled. Source.
Sam Nock (Blues) - Was pulled late from the match in rd 4. The team has said they have COVID in the camp, but haven't said if this is why he was pulled. Source.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Pulled from the side late for rd 4 on undisclosed medical grounds. Hard to see this being anything other than COVID protocols which means he could be back. Source.
Brodie McAlister (Crusaders) - As per Scott Barrett.
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders) - As per Scott Barrett.
Mitch Dunshea (Crusaders) - As per Scott Barrett.
Oli Jager (Cruasader) - Pulled late in the week of rd 3 with calf tightness. Named to start in rd 6.
Gareth Evans (Highlanders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 4, back via the bench this week.
Fetuli Paea (Highlanders) - Back from an unknown injury to start this week.
James Lentjes (Highlanders) - Back from a rd 2 concussion this week.
New Injuries (Rd 5):
Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) - Suffered an ankle sprain on the inside of his ankle. They are confident he will play round 7. Source.
Chris Feauai-Sautia (Brumbies) - Suffered a hamstring injury at training on Wednesday before rd 5. Source.
Ben Donaldson (Waratahs) - Tweaked his calf against the Force. Expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Source.
Angus Bell (Waratahs) - Suffered back spasms at the end of the first half and was pulled as a precaution. Apparently a solid chance of playing this week. Source.
Geoff Cridge (Waratahs) - Came off with a concussion but named to play. Source.
Izaia Perese (Waratahs) - Missing Rd 6 due to COVID protocols. Source.
James Ramm (Waratahs) – Was expected back in rd 5 from his rib injury but is now listed for a round 7 return from a groin injury. Source.
Taniela Tupou (Reds) - Has been cited for a cleanout and offered a 2-week ban for an early plea. Appealed and was cleared to play.
Josh Canham (Rebels) – Concussed in rd 5, hopefully back in rd 8. Source.
Tamati Ioane (Rebels) – Concussed in rd 5, hopefully back in rd 8. Source.
Ross Haylett-Petty (Rebels) - Suffering with concussion, hopefully back in rd 8. Source.
Jeral Skelton (Rebels) – We now know he has been recovering from an ACL injury and is aiming for rd 8. Source.
Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Missed rd 5 with COVID. Source.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Missed rd 5 with COVID but not named to start rd 6. Source.
Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs) - Missed rd 5 with COVID. Source.
Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs) - Missed rd 5 with COVID. Source.
Josh Lord (Chiefs) - Missed rd 5 with COVID. Source.
Chiefs - A host of players are named as unavailable that we didn't expect. We think it is most likely COVID. Source.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
Tom Robertson - Injured his calf in rd 4 and not listed for rd 5. Source.
Brumbies
Nil
Reds
Suliasi Vunivalu - Retore his hamstring during the Wallabies season and apparently has now had 2 surgeries on it. Source. Apparently aiming to return in rd 9.
Richie Asiata - Broke his arm in the Reds trial and is due to have surgery on the 7th of Feb. Source.
Angus Scott-Young - Limped off with a knee (MCL) injury in rd 2. Is expected to miss 4-6 weeks which puts the earliest return date as round 8. Source.
Alex Mafi - Had two bones in his neck fused after rd 3. Expected to be out for 12 weeks. We think it could end his season. Source.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Came off 4 minutes into rd 3 with a high ankle (Syndesmosis) injury. Expected to miss at least 4 weeks. Source.
Rebels
Trevor Hosea - Fractured his foot. Aiming to return Rd 12-13. Source.
Pone Fa'amausili - Struggling with a calf injury. Aiming to return rd 11-12. Source.
Rob Leota - Out with a hamstring injury to start the season. Aiming to play rd 10-11. Source.
Josh Kemeny - Expected to miss the majority of the season coming back from an ACL injury. Source.
Joe Pincus – Has a groin injury. Return date is still TBC. Source.
Lachie Anderson - A late withdrawal before rd 2 with a groin strain. In the post match presser for rd 5 coach Foote said he was nearing a return. Source.
Waratahs
Ned Hanigan - Playing in Japan until the end of their 2022 season in May.
Mosese Tuipulotu - The young centre is injured and won't be available to play. Will be out until at least rd 11. Source.
Michael Hooper - Has a Lis Franc injury in his foot from November. Source. Aiming to play rd 7. Source.
Lachie Swinton - Hurt his shoulder late in the drought-breaking win over the Drua. His return date is still undecided as he recovers from a nerve injury. Source.
Jake Gordon - Pulled up with a tight hamstring on Wednesday before rd 4. Aiming to return rd 7-9. Source.
Max Douglas - Pulled from the side late before rd 4 with an injury. He isn't listed as unavailable by the Waratahs. Source.
Jeremy Williams - Tore his hamstring pilfering a ball and being forced into an overstretch type injury. Generally, I fear the worst for these ones, but he had the ice on his mid hamstring, so fingers crossed it is no more than 4-6 weeks. The Tahs are saying he is aiming for rd 11 or later. Source.
NEW ZEALAND
Highlanders
Billy Harmon - Had a right shoulder operation in October that will keep him out until April. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo - Tony Brown said he was again unavailable due to personal reasons. There is no timeframe on his return. Source.
Rory van Vugt - Broke his wrist in the trial of three halves on the 12th Feb. We suspect he will be out for six weeks. Source.
Christian Lio-Willie - Broke his hand in the lead up to their final trial. We suspect he will be out for roughly the first four weeks of Super Rugby. Source.
Josh Timu - Tore his PCL in rd 2 and will miss 6 weeks. Source.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Had to be taken from the pitch before halftime with a suspected groin injury that will keep him out for between 2 and 4 weeks. Source.
Liam Coombes-Fabling - Came off with a knee injury that will keep him out for between 2 and 6 weeks. Source.
Chiefs
Mitch Brown - Isn’t expected to be fit for the opening rounds after undergoing minor surgery. Source.
Simon Parker - Currently out as of rd 3 & 4 nursing an injury. Source.
Gideon Wrampling - Apparently has an injury as of rd 4. Source.
Hurricanes
Owen Franks - The returning All Black was originally said to miss the entire season with an Achilles rupture and repair. Source. Now he is aiming to return on April 8th against the Hurricanes. Source.
Isaia Walker-Leawere - In doubt for most of the season with a shoulder injury. Source.
Dominic Bird - Is nursing an injury and is expected to miss the start of the season. Source.
Jamie Booth - Suffered a knee injury in training and was ruled out of rd 3. We don't know the severity of the injury yet. Source.
Nehe Milner-Skudder - Suffered a concussion in the Crusaders trial on Feb 12th. Will have to go through concussion protocols. Source.
Dane Coles - Is apparently struggling with a calf injury. His return date has now been pushed back to at least rd 8. Source.
Crusaders
Jack Goodhue - Ruptured his ACL in April 2021. It sounds like he is targeting a 12-month return, meaning he will a large amount of SR Pacifika. Source.
Blues
Akira Ioane - Ruled out of round 2 late with a Lisfranc Injury. Apparently in a cast so we are fearing the worst, it could be the end of his Super Rugby season. Source. Update; he will be out "long term". Source.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Forced from the game in rd 3 with a shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined for "several weeks". Source. Apparently landed heavily on his shoulder which makes us suspect it is an AC joint injury. Update: Back running (non-contact) with the team before rd 6. Source.
PACIFIKA TEAMS
Fiji Drua
Ratu Rotuisolia - Came off after only 19 minutes clutching at his hamstring in rd 4.
Isoa Nasilsila - Didn't come back onto the field after halftime in rd 4. We haven't heard if this was due to injury.
Meli Derenalagi - Came off 51 minutes into rd 4 after struggling with an ankle injury before that.
Moana Pasifika
Solomone Kata - Injured his ankle in their first trial against the Chiefs. We don't know how long he will be out for yet.
Gone for the season:
Alivereti Veitokani (Drua) - Has a major knee injury. Expected to return to rugby in 2023. Source.
Joey Walton (Waratahs) - Has done his second ACL in only his second session back for the Waratahs back in October 21. Will miss the entire SR Pacifika season. Source.
Dillon Hunt (Blues) - Forced into early retirement due to Concussion. Source.
Harry Plummer (Blues) - Has already had surgery n his shoulder and will miss the rest of the year. Source.
Patelesio Tomkinson (Highlanders) - will miss the entirety of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season after injuring his foot while playing for Otago. Vereniki Tikoisolomone has been called up as his replacement. Source.
Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders) - Suffered a "multi-ligament knee injury" in November 2021 (this will be ACL plus others). He won't be back for roughly twelve months. Source.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - Ruptured his ACL last August. Even a 9-month recovery wouldn't have him back until May. Source.
Nathan Harris (Chiefs) - Has had to retire due to chronic ankle pain. Source.
Reuben O'Neill (Chiefs) - Out for the year. Thank you to Tom Vinicombe for the inside scoop.
Fraser Armstrong (Hurricanes) - Retired due to injury. Source.
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.