Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 7-8
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 7:
Corey Toole (Brumbies) - Came off with a big concussion.
Angus Blyth (Reds) - Was given a red card for taking Corey Toole's head off. Banned for 3 weeks. Source.
Peni Ravai (Reds) - Came off after 22 minutes.
Alex Mafi (Rebels) - Dislocated his finger which also broke the skin. Expected to be fit for round 9. Source.
Trevor Hosea (Rebels) - Came off with a severe cork. Thankfully he is expected to play round 9 after the bye. Source.
Jordan Uelese (Rebels) - Came off with a severe cork. Expected to play round 9 after the bye. Source.
Pone Fa’amausili (Rebels) - Was assisted from the field late, but apparently it was only due to cramping. Source.
Anaru Rangi (Rebels) - Has been battling a calf injury that kept him out of this week. Source.
Will Harrison (Waratahs) - Originally expected to play next week for the Tahs, he reinjured his ACL playing club rugby and will miss the rest of the season. Source.
Joe Apikotoa (Moana) - Came off with a concussion.
Sam Slade (Moana) - Limped off the field after 46 minutes.
Leicester Fainga'anuku (Crusaders) - Pulled out in warm-up with a tight calf.
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - Came off with a concussion after 15 minutes.
Aaron Smith (Highlanders) - Unavailable for selection as he supports his family who are dealing with an illness. Source.
Mitch Hunt (Highlanders) - Pulled pregame with an abdominal injury. Expected to play rd 9, after the bye. Source.
Cam Miller (Highlanders) - Limped off the field with an ankle injury with 5 minutes left to go. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Had an All Blacks rest week so will be back in rd 9 after the bye. Source.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Had an All Blacks rest week so will be back in rd 9 after the bye. Source.
Likely back for Round 8:
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Missed rounds 5 and 6 with a concussion so should be back this week. Source.
Bryce Hegarty (Force) - Pulled out late pregame rds 5 and 6 with his ongoing back issue. We suspect he will be back this week. Source.
Sam Spink (Force) - Came off with a concussion in rd 6 so hopefully he is back this week.
Folau Fainga'a (Force) - 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 (Force) - 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.
Hugh Sinclair (Waratahs) - Fractured his right shoulder blade in rd 3 and will miss up to 8 weeks. This week is the earliest he could play, but apparently he hasn't been fully cleared yet. Source.
Tane Edmed (Waratahs) - Suffered a back injury in rd 4. Was expected back this week but has to go through further medical checks first. Source.
Mosese Tuipulotu (Waratahs) - 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 (Waratahs) - Suffered a low grade calf injury in rd 4. Was expected back for rd 6. Source.
Archer Holz (Waratahs) - Continues to battle a rib injury, was meant to be a chance of returning in rd 6. Source.
Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs) - This week is the earliest he could play on his comeback from a knee injury, but apparently he hasn't been fully cleared yet. Source.
Nemani Nadolo (Waratahs) - 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.
Lachie Swinton (Waratahs) - Missed rd 6 due to a neck injury. Expected back this week. Source.
Anzelo Tuitavuki (Moana) - Suffered a concussion in rd 5, we assume he will be fit.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Pulled pregame rd 6 due to knee bruising on Thursday. Expected ti play rd 8. Source.
Meli Derenalagi (Drua) - Left the field shortly after halftime in rd 6 with what looked like a hamstring or calf muscle tear. Apparently it was only cramp, so we expect him to play this week. Source.
Josh Lord (Chiefs) - Tore his ACL on the 14th of June. Played for the development side in rd 6. Expected back after the Rd 7 bye. Source.
Alex Nankivell (Chiefs) - Missed rd 6 with a concussion so should be a good chance to play after their rd 7 bye. 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.
Returned in Round 7:
Trevor Hosea (Rebels) - Returned from a concussion in rd 5.
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Returned from a rd 5 foot injury.
Billy Pollard (Brumbies) - Played his first game off the bench.
Quintin Strange (Crusaders) - Returned from a hamstring injury in rd 7.
Finlay Brewis (Crusaders) - Played his first game of the year off the bench.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Came off the bench early after recovering from a rd 3 AC joint injury.
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - Back from a groin injury in rd 2, but didn't last long after suffering a concussion.
Melani Nanai (Chiefs) - Played in rd 7 off the bench.
Scott Gregory (Highlanders) - Played his first game of the season after recovering from a knee injury this week.
Josh Dickson (Highlanders) - Started this week after missing a few weeks due to illness and his brothers cancer diagnosis.
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes) - Played his first game after recovering from a shoulder injury.
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.
Toni Pulu - Pulled out late pregame in rd 6 with a knee concern. Source.
Hamish Stewart - Came off early in the match with what looked like a shoulder injury in rd 6. 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.
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.
Tuaina Taii Tualima - Limped off before halftime in rd 6 with an injury. No more details yet but given how well he was walking it didn't look too serious.
Waratahs
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.
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.
Martin Bogado - Tore his quad scoring in round 6. Source.
Connor Garden-Bachop - Injured his calf in training and was ruled out of rd 6. Source.
Josh Timu - Pulled late before rd 5 with a concussion. We assume this means he will be back after the rd 8 bye. Source.
Fabian Holland - Came off with a hamstring injury. Wasn't quite ready for rd 6 so he should play rd 9. Source.
Rhys Marshall - Came off with a concussion in rd 4. Hasn't been seen since. Source.
Chiefs
Quinn Tupaea - Tore his ACL late in September. Probably won't be back until late June. 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. Will start running around rd 8, so we think he will play either rd 9-10. 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.
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.
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.
Brett Cameron - Came off with a severe knee injury in rd 6. Expected to be out for a long period of time and has been spotted in a knee brace. Source.
Ruben Love - Still nursing an ongoing groin issue. 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. Expected back shortly after the rd 8 bye. 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.
Zach Gallagher - Pulled pre-game rd 5 with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 9. 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. Source.
Sam Whitelock - Suffered a broken hand in rd 4 and is expected to spend the next couple of months on the sideline. 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.
George Bower - Limped off the field with a knee injury in the last minute of rd 6. Should know scan results before rd 7, they are expecting the worst. 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 with a groin injury in rd 5. Still not available as of rd 7. Source.
AJ Lam - Pulled pregame rd 6. No details as to why yet.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Blues) - Unavailable for rd 7 due to a knee injury. Source.
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
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.
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 knee laceration in rd 5 which had still listed as unavailable in rd 7. Source.
Christian Leali'ifano - Missed round 6 and 7 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.
Sevu Reece (Crusaders) - Tore his ACL in rd 4, which will keep him out for the rest of the season and for the Rugby World Cup. 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.