Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 6-7
The regular season Casualty Ward will come out every week 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.
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New Injuries Round 6:
Tuaina Taii Tualima (Rebels) - Limped off before halftime with an injury. No more details yet but given how well he was walking it didn't look too serious.
Vaiolini Ekuasi (Rebels) - Limped off after 60 minutes.
Alex Mafi (Rebels) - Nothing has been said during the game, but he has been listed as not considered for the first Wallabies squad because of injury. Source.
Bryce Hegarty (Force) - Pulled out late pregame with his ongoing back issue. Source.
Toni Pulu (Force) - Pulled out late pregame with a knee concern. Source.
Hamish Stewart (Force) - Came off early in the match with what looked like a shoulder injury. Source.
Sam Spink (Force) - Came off with a concussion.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Pulled pregame due to an injury. Source.
Meli Derenalagi (Drua) - Left the field shortly after halftime with what looked like a hamstring or calf muscle tear.
Ilaisa Droasese (Drua) - Limped off the field with what we think was just bad cramp.
Connor Garden-Bachop (Highlanders) - Injured his calf in training and was ruled out of rd 6. Source.
George Bower (Crusaders) - Limped off the field with a knee injury in the last minute. Will go for scans to see how bad the damage is, but he was struggling to put weight through the leg so it didn't look good. Source.
Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Had to leave the field after coping a knee to the baby-makers. Seemed to be in good spirits after the game.
AJ Lam (Blues) - Pulled pregame. No details as to why yet.
Brett Cameron (Hurricanes) - Came off with a knee injury. Initially, it looked incredibly serious but he ended up being able to walk off. We will wait on scans results. Source.
Likely back for Round 7:
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Missed rounds 5 and 6 with a concussion so should be back this week. Source.
Trevor Hosea (Rebels) - We expect him back after suffering a a concussion in rd 5.
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Missed rd 5 with a foot injury, was listed as fit for the Wallabies camp so we assume he will play this week. Source.
Anzelo Tuitavuki (Moana) - Suffered a concussion in rd 5, we assume he will be fit.
Zach Gallagher (Crusaders) - Pulled pre-game rd 5 with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 7. Source.
Quintin Strange (Crusaders) - On track to return from a hamstring injury in rd 7. Source.
Finlay Brewis (Crusaders) - On track to return in rd 7. Source.
Josh Timu (Highlanders) - Pulled late before rd 5 with a concussion. We assume this means he will be back in rd 7. Source.
Scott Gregory (Highlanders) - Expected to play his first game of the season after recovering from a knee injury this week. Source.
Fabian Holland (Highlanders) - Came off with a hamstring injury. Not quite ready for rd 6 he will play rd 7. Source.
Rhys Marshall (Highlanders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 4. Hadn't recovered for rd 6. Source.
Returned in Round 6:
Josh Canham (Rebels) - Back from a rd 3 concussion.
Andrew Kellaway (Rebels) - Played his first game back this week from his foot fracture.
Reece Hodge (Rebels) - Was meant to return in rd 9 from a fractured finger but somehow played this week.
Max Jorgensen (Waratahs) - Returned from his ongoing shoulder niggle after missing rd 5.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) - Back after injuring his shoulder in rd 4. Was originally aiming for rd 9 so it was completely unexpected.
James Slipper (Brumbies) - Returned from his Wallabies rest week.
Rob Valetini (Brumbies) - Returned from his Wallabies rest week.
Pete Samu (Brumbies) - Returned from his Wallabies rest week.
Nic White (Brumbies) - Returned from his Wallabies rest week.
Tom Wright (Brumbies) - Returned from his Wallabies rest week.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Back after tearing his calf in rd 4.
Angus Blyth (Reds) - Return from his high ankle (syndesmosis) injury via the bench.
Bryce Hegarty (Force) - Pulled pregame with a back injury in rd 5, recovered enough to come off the bench.
Tom Robertson (Force) - Returned from a concussion this week.
Eroni Sau (Drua) - Returned from his rd 4 concussion.
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Force) - Returned for his first game of the year via the bench this week. We understand he has been injured but we aren't sure what the issue was.
Michael Curry (Moana) - Returned from his neck injury to start the game.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) - Scored a try after missing last week as a late exclusion.
Shannon Frizell (Highlanders) - Returned from his hip flexor injury via the bench. Wasn't given many minutes.
Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Highlanders) - Back via the bench after fracturing his rib in rd 1.
Hugh Renton (Highlanders) - Started and was huge again after being pulled late last week.
Andrew Makalio (Highlanders) - Back via the bench from his concussion.
Will Tucker (Highlanders) - Returned from his groin injury.
Mosese Dawai (Highlanders) - Was a late inclusion for Connor Garden-Bachop after recovering from a knee injury.
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs) - Came off with a low-grade MCL injury in rd 3. Expected to miss 2 weeks so he should be back. Source.
James Lay (Blues) - Returned from a minor ankle injury via the bench.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Back from a grade 2 MCL (knee) injury in rd 3 via the bench.
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Dane Coles (Hurricanes) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes) - Retuned from a rd 2 red card for a dangerous cleanout.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
Izack Rodda - Broke his foot again in the final trial against the Drua. His return time hasn't been set yet but it wouldn't surprise us if he misses at least the first six weeks. Source.
Jeremy Thrush - Injured his heel in rd 3. Will miss at least two weeks, then will decide if he keeps playing this season or not. Source.
Folau Fainga'a - Missed round 6 with another flare up of his Achilles problem after only just returning last week. Should be right after the rd 7 bye. Source.
Michael Wells - Has been ruled out of rd 6 with the same injury as the rest of his team. You guessed it, another Achilles injury. Should be right after the rd 7 bye. Source.
Brumbies
Tom Hooper - Suffered a potentially serious foot injury on the Feb 11 trial. Source. Was seen in a cast and not weight-bearing at the final trial so we think he will be out for at least 3 months.
Reds
Josh Nasser - On his way back from his shoulder reconstruction, was originally targeting a return in round 3. Source.
Wilson Blyth - Suffering with a knee injury, expecting to miss the first couple of rounds of Super Rugby. Source.
Luke Jones - Struggling with a neck injury that has kept him out all season so far. Seen training before rd 6 for the first time, so could be getting closer to a return. Source.
Sef Fa’agase - Suspended for 3 weeks for a dangerous tackle in rd 4. Will return in rd 8. Source.
Hunter Paisami - Tore his MCL in his knee in rd 5. Expected to take 4-5 weeks until he returns. Source.
Rebels
Matt Philip - Ruptured his ACL at training on October 19th meaning he will miss almost the entire season. Source.
Rob Leota - Ruptured his Achilles against the All Blacks in September 15th. Expected to miss the bulk of Super Rugby. Source.
Ray Nu’u - Helped off with a right knee injury on Feb 11. No word yet on the severity. Source.
Richard Hardwick - Suffered a calf injury in rd 4. It is expected to keep him out for 8 weeks. Source.
Waratahs
Hugh Sinclair - Fractured his right shoulder blade in rd 3 and will miss up to 8 weeks. Round 8 return at the earliest. Source.
Teddy Wilson - Concussed in rd 3. Aiming to return rd 6. Source.
Tiaan Tauakipulu – Still on the comeback trail from his knee injury. Aiming to play round 8 at the earliest. Source.
Charlie Gamble - Came off with a left shoulder partial dislocation in rd 4. Aiming to be back rd 9 at the earliest. Source.
Tane Edmed - Suffered a back injury in rd 4. Won't be back until at least rd 8. Source.
Mosese Tuipulotu - Has a low grade MCL tear in rd 4. Given they have a bye in rd 7, he isn't expected back until rd 8. Source.
Langi Gleeson - Suffered a low grade calf injury in rd 4. Was expected back for rd 6. Source.
Will Harrison - Expected back from his toe injury rd 6 so he should get a game soon. Source.
Archer Holz - Continues to battle a rib injury, was meant to be a chance of returning in rd 6. Source.
Mahe Vailanu - Was expected back from a knee injury in round 6 at the earliest so should be available after the rd 7 bye. Source.
Nemani Nadolo - Was given a rest in rd 6 as he nurses a knee injury. We don't think it is anything serious so you should see him after the rd 7 bye.
NEW ZEALAND
The All Blacks are on leave until early February. Although not confirmed, this may delay their entry into the SR Pacific competition.
Highlanders
Vilimoni Koroi - Currently out of round 2-6 with a knee injury. Source.
Marty Banks - Currently out of round 2-6 with a groin injury. Source.
Jeff Thwaites - Currently out of round 2-6 with a back injury. Source. Jona Nareki - Has a bone stress injury in his foot before rd 1. His return has been delayed, and he is now targeting a rd 11 return. Source.
Freddie Burns - Suffered a knee injury in rd 3. Aiming to return in rd 8, after their bye. Source.
Josh Dickson - Missed rd 4 due to illness. Is now being given all the time he needs to support his family after his brother was diagnosed with cancer. Source.
Martin Bogado - Tore his quad scoring in round 6. Source.
Chiefs
Quinn Tupaea - Tore his ACL late in September. Probably won't be back until late June. Source.
Josh Lord - Tore his ACL on the 14th of June. Played for the development side in rd 6. Expected back after the Rd 7 bye. Source.
Atu Moli - Came off injured after 5 minutes in the Feb 18th trial with a shoulder injury. Expected back in April. Source.
Ngantungane Punivai - Not considered for round 1 due to injury. Source.
Anton Lienert-Brown - Rolled his ankle in Rd 1. Originally meant to be back after 3 weeks, they have delayed his return a further month. We suspect he will play roughly rd 8-10. Source.
Gideon Wrampling - Currently out with a knee injury as of rd 5. Source.
Josh Ioane - Pulled from the bench before rd 4 for a family bereavement. Hasn't been seen since. Source.
Alex Nankivell - Missed rd 6 with a concussion so should be a good chance to play after their rd 7 bye. Source.
Hurricanes
TJ Perenara - Ruptured his Achilles on the 20th of November playing against England. Originally planning on an August return, he is well ahead of schedule and will try to return towards the end of Super Rugby around late April. Source. Our opinion is that this is far too early and at absolute best, we might see him in early May. Apparently he had his first jog around rd 2-3.
Reed Prinsep - Limped off with an Achilles injury in the last trial. Source. Apparently not a full rupture. Source.
Justin Sangster - Dislocating his thumb in the final trial against the Crusaders. Source.
Ruben Love - Has been battling a groin issue and is still a couple of weeks away at a minimum (as of rd 1), won't be back until rd 3 at the earliest. Source.
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Out with a shoulder injury as of rd 4. Expected back in April. Source.
Jacob Devery - Out with injury as of rd 4. Source.
Caleb Delany - Out with injury as of rd 4. Source.
Tyler Laubscher - Out with injury as of rd 4. Source.
Crusaders
Oli Jager - Sustained a neck injury late in the NPC in 2022 which required surgery. As of the start of Feb he is back in the gym but won't start contact or scrummaging until cleared by the specialist. Source. Considered a chance of returning this season. Source.
Will Jordan - Has a migraine-related condition. He has been given the clear by the specialist and is now just getting confident. He should return after the rd 8 bye. Source.
Cullen Grace - Broke his collarbone in rd 1. Announced after rd 3 that he would miss 6 weeks, meaning he would be back for round 10. We suspect this could be a mistake and he might be back after the rd 8 bye. Source.
Jack Goodhue - Came off with a groin injury in rd 2. Aiming to return in rd 9. Source.
David Havili - Came off with an AC joint injury in rd 3. As of rd 6 he is expected out for another 2-5 weeks. Source.
Sevu Reece - Tore his ACL in rd 4, which will keep him out for the rest of the season and for the Rugby World Cup. Source.
Sam Whitelock - Suffered a broken hand in rd 4 and is expected to spend the next couple of months on the sideline. Source.
Melani Nanai - Apparently he is injured as of rd 6. Source.
Ethan Blackadder - Tore his calf in rd 5. Expected to miss 6 weeks. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Pulled pregame with a neck injury in rd 5. Source.
Blues
Akira Ioane - Limped off in rd 1 with a left knee injury (we think it is an MCL injury). Getting close to returning but "definitely not" for round 6. Source.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Missed rd 5 with a hand injury. Expected to be out for a month. Source.
Bryce Heem - Came off injured in rd 5, apparently it isn't expected to be too serious.
PACIFIKA TEAMS
Fiji Drua
Simione Kuruvoli - Injured his shoulder in the Autumn internationals which required surgery, will miss almost the entire 2023 season. Source.
Moana Pasifika
Niko Jones - Missed the final trial with a knee injury. Source.
Jonathan Taumateine - Missed the final trial with a Hamstring injury and still out as of rd 6. Source.
Jack Lam - Missed the final trial with an ankle injury and still injured before rd 6. Source.
Penitoa Finau - Missed the final trial with a foot injury and still out as of rd 6. Source.
Sosefo ‘Apikotoa - Pulled pregame rd 1. Apparently, he was injured at training during the week. No more information is available.
Sekope Kepu - Snapped his Achilles in September. Expected back sometime in March. Was originally targeting a rd 3 return but was still listed as out before rd 6. Source.
Alex McRobbie - Out of rd 6 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Lotu Inisi - Suffered a leg injury in rd 5. Source.
Christian Leali'ifano - Missed round 6 with a neck injury. Source.
Gone for the season:
Taniela Tupou (Reds) - Ruptured his Achilles on November 20 and won't play in Super rugby 2023. Source.
Harry Hoopert (Reds) - Ruptured his ACL playing for Australia A on October 8th. Will miss the 2023 season. Source.
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) - Has been stood down until his legal battle is finished. The next court date is March 22nd so he won't be seen before then. Source.
Angus Bell (Waratahs) - In rd 1 he reruptured the same ligament on his toe that kept him out of the end of 2022. Expected to be out for the entire Super Rugby season with a worst case 6 month return. Source.
Henry Robertson (Force) - Tore his ACL and gone for the season. Source.
Alivereti Veitokani (Drua) - Still hasn't been able to travel to Australia to have his knee reconstruction so is still at least 9 -12 months away from playing again.
Vinaya Habosi (Drua) - Cut from the team immediately on February 7th due to a high-level breach of the club's code of conduct. Source.
Reuben O'Neill (Chiefs) - Missed 2022 through injury and has once again been ruled out for the year.
Angus Ta'avao (Chiefs) - Out for the 2023 season after injuring his neck which required surgery in the NPC in October. Source.
Xavier Roe (Chiefs) - Opted to have shoulder surgery for a niggling injury. This will rule him out for the season. Source.
Luca Inch (Highlanders) - Ruled out for the season. Source.
Jake Te Hiwi (Highlanders) -Suffered a high ankle sprain (syndesmosis) in rd 5. It will keep him out for the rest of the season. Source.
Mitch Dunshea (Crusaders) - Out for the rest of the season after going for surgery to repair his pec muscle before rd 4. Source.
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders) - Confirmed he will be out for the season before rd 4 after having his plantar plate repaired before rd 3. Source.
George Bell (Crusaders) - Will miss the season with a broken ankle. Source.
Alex Hodgman (Blues) - Dislocated his left shoulder and will be out for the season. Source.
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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.