The Casualty Ward Internationals
The International break is over! There is an absolute plethora of new injuries and comebacks this week so make sure you stay up to date as we roll out all the latest info right here!
The @FantasyXVDraft podcast Episode 16 returns is also out now. Cargie, Harry, Nelson & super sub Nabung reviewed all the important info from the international window, and cast their eye after this weeks Super Rugby match-ups. The pod will again be available from Tuesday morning (AEST). You'll find us across all platforms on the links below:
Tune in, rate, review and share us with your friend.
Returned from Injuries in Internationals:
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - Recovered from a minor hamstring injury to play the third international test. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) - Ruled out to play the Blues Rd 14 for a concussion. Made his comeback by captaining the All Blacks over the break. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) - Recovered from his concussion to play for the All Blacks. Manasa Mataele (Crusaders) - Tore his hamstring in Rd 14. Played on the pine in the Crusaders game against the Western Force so he will be right after the bye. Whetu Douglas (Crusaders) - Resigned for the Crusaders as injury cover while Read is unavailable. Can provide cover for Rds 17-19 but won't qualify for finals. Source here. Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Recovered from his abdominal sprain. Siate Tokolahi (Highlanders) - Made his comeback from an MCL knee injury (from rd 10) against the French Barbarians. Will play this week. Source here. Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) – Also played the French Barbarians after recovering from his shoulder injury. Probably not in the mix for the 23 this week though. James Lentjes (Highlanders) - Concussion in Rd 15. Started against the French Barbarians. Kayne Hammington (Highlanders) - Returned against the French Barbarians after recovering from his sprained ankle.
Lukhan Tui (Reds) - Made his comeback for the Wallabies over the break so we will see him in Rd 17. Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Made his comeback from an MCL injury for the Wallabies over the break so we will see him in Rd 17. Robbie Abel (Brumbies) - Ruled out before kickoff with a calf injury in Rd 14. Made his comeback via club rugby during the break. Source here. Kazuki Himeno (Sunwolves) - Missed Rd 14 after having his wisdom teeth out. Played off the bench against Georgia. Sounds like he will have a rest in Rd 17.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers) - Ruled out of Rd 15 due to illness. Captained RSA in their first test against Waless. Courtnall Skosan (Lions) – ACL in January – Played in he challenge cup last week so should be back in the mix. Warren Whiteley (Lions) – Declared fit before the third international. Will be back for Rd 17. Source here. Malcolm Marx (Lions) - Declared fit from his high hamstring tear before the third international, then played challenge cup so he should start this week. Source here. Matías Moroni (Jaguares) – Shoulder operation – Has been playing for the Argentinian XV (development side). Should be back in the mix after the break. Tomás Cubelli (Jaguares) – Coming back from his fractured neck, Played with the Argentina XV team from week 10 of Super Rugby. Should be in the mix from Rd 17.
El Capitan is back after leading the Golden Lions to a win over the Bulls on the weekend.
New Injuries International Break:
Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) - Got a reasonably serious calf tear in game 1 against the French. Likely to return in Rd 18 after the Crusaders bye. Billy Harmon (Crusaders) - Came off against the French barbarians in week 2 of the internationals with an injured knee. Liam Squire (Highlanders) - AC joint injury in the second international. In doubt for the third game. Nathan Harris (Highlanders) - Still on paternity leave, won't travel to Fiji this week. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) - Concussion in the second international. Passed his HIA this week but they have decided to rest him. Brad Shields (Hurricanes) - Rested this week after being sick all of last week. Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes) - Ruled out of the third test with concussion. A good chance for Rd 18. Matt Proctor (Hurricanes) - Gone for the season, I think just from his sternum injury. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) - Out for 2-3 weeks from Rd 17 after injuring his ankle early for NZ. Sonny Bill Williams (Blues) - Came off with a shoulder injury in the third test and won't play Rd 17.
Will Genia (Rebels) - Fractured his arm being pushed off the ball. Has now gone for an operation and will miss six weeks. Adam Coleman (Rebels) - Bruised his hip or groin in the third international against Ireland. In doubt to play Rd 17. Michael Hooper (Waratahs) - Tore his hamstring in the third international against Ireland. Set to miss four weeks which means he could even miss the quarter final if the Waratahs make it. Source here. Israel Folau (Waratahs) - Was cited for his aerial contest in the third test. He has now been banned for 1 week, but he is due to appeal! Source here. Chance Peni (Brumbies) - His first game back for his club he has again dumped someone on their head, he has now been rubbed out for another six weeks. Season over! Izack Rodda (Reds) - Injured his shoulder and won't play this week. Izaia Perese (Reds) - Got injured in club rugby and won't play this week.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions) - Had an operation on Friday (June 15) to repair a fractured cartilage within the ankle joint as well as a high-grade syndesmosis injury. He got injured in the Super Rugby game against the Stormers. He will be out of rugby for approximately four months. Source here. UPDATE: He has now been released to the Sale Sharks. Trevor Nyakane (Bulls) - Injured his ribs and will now miss at least Rd 17. Source here. Burger Odendaal (Bulls) - Tore his calf playing for the Golden Lions last week, won't play this week. Source here. Travis Ismaiel (Bulls) - Struggling with "a niggle" after returning from international duty. Source here. SP Marais (Stormers) - Is not fit for the trip to Argentina this week. We are not sure why. Source here.
Chance Peni's new tackling technique didn't keep him on the field for long. Looks like his season is well and truely done
Likely back for this week (Rd 17):
James Parsons (Blues) - Came off for a concussion test in Rd 14. Apparently he passed it but didn't come back on. Should play after the break. TJ Faiane (Blues) - Bracketed to make his comeback from an ankle sprain. Blake Gibson (Blues) – FINALLY back from his preseason shoulder surgery. Melani Nanai (Blues) - Back this week on the wing. Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) - Appendicitis ruled him out since Rd 12. Is now a chance to play Rd 17. Tyler Ardron (Chiefs) - Copped another concussion in Rd 14. Didn't play for Canada but he is expected to be fit to play Rd 17.
Jono Lance (Reds) - Injured before kick off for Rd 16. Back at fullback this week. Folau Faingaa (Brumbies) - Red carded for a gentle kiss on the head with his own forehead. Given a one week ban so missed Rd 16. Rory Arnold (Brumbies) - Copped a red card for a high tackle on Jantjies. Confirmed Sunday night that he will miss 3 weeks so will be back after the break. Grant Hattingh (Sunwolves) - Headed home to Japan before Rd 16 with concussion. Back on the bench this week. Michael Little (Sunwolves) - Dislocated his knee cap before the internationals. Unexpectedly back to play in Rd 17.
Raymond Rhule (Stormers) - Copped a 3 week ban for his high elbow on Combrinck. Back before Rd 17. JJ Engelbrecht (Stormers) - Copped 1 week for his clean around the head in Rd 15. Ruan Botha (Sharks) - Copped 4 weeks for his high tackle. Will be back for Rd 17. Lionel Mapoe (Lions) - Missed the last two weeks with a groin injury. Apparently almost played last week so you'd expect he plays Rd 17. Jamba Ulengo (Bulls) – recovered from his patella tendon issue to take his spot on the wing this week. Franco Naude (Bulls) – Back available after his shoulder surgery. Unlike to get game time. Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls) - Injured his MCL in Rd 9. Starting this week but there is some doubt over his fitness. Source here. Marco Van Staden (Bulls)- Badly sprained his ankle, but he has recovered quickly and is likely to start this week. Source here. Jannes Kirsten (Bulls) - Had a nerve injury. Back this week but there were question marks over his fitness, so he might not get much time. Pierre Schoeman (Bulls) - Banned for six weeks for biting a Rebels player. Confirmed to be back for Rd 17.
[getty src="962698626" width="594" height="395" tld="com.au"] Marco Van Staden has recovered quickly to take his place for the Bulls this week. Credit Getty Images.
Ongoing Injury List:
NEW ZEALAND Highlanders Tevita Nabura (Highlanders) - Got a red card for fly kicking Waratahs winger Clarke in the face Rd 14. Copped a 6 week ban meaning we will see him for the last round of the regular season. Source here.
Hurricanes The Hurricanes this year won't play anyone that isn't fit to play fully on Monday of the game week. Nil Chiefs The Chiefs this year - "There was a team policy this year to give injured players an extra week to ensure they were fully fit." Mitchell Graham – Still struggling with his leg injury (Update 25/6). Unlikely to play again this season. Kane Hames – Struggling with concussion. Unlikely to feature again this year. Brodie Retallick - Apparently didn't actually tear his pec, now a chance for Rd 18. Source here. Nepo Laulala – Fractured left forearm requiring surgery. Had complications and won't be back until Rd 19 at the earliest. Source here. Crusaders Kieran Read – Coming back from 2017 back surgery. Expected to make his return via Counties after the international break, so we may see him play at the back end of the season. Tim Bateman - Has a grade 2 hamstring tear from Rd 15. Could be out for up to a month so we should see him after the Rd 17 bye. Braydon Ennor - "Monday's scan revealed he suffered two high-ankle sprains last weekend - good news considering it was initially feared he broke both ankles"! Source here. These injuries can go for 6 weeks plus, so no guarantee he will be back after the break. Owen Franks - Copped a two week ban for his high shot on Parsons. We will see him back after the international break. Tim Perry - Tore his hamstring again in All Blacks camp. Described as "at least a few weeks away" before Rd 16. Source here.
Blues Isaac Salmon – Elbow Daniel Kirkpatrick - Rib injury. Dalton Papali'i - Injured his hamstring early. Umaga said "it doesn't look good" so he might not be right for Rd 17. Source here. Josh Goodhue - Concussion in Rd 12. Not much word out of the Blues camp (as usual) but surely he is back soon.
AUSTRALIA Waratahs Jack Dempsey – Hamstring Injury – Originally targeted a Rd 9 but the coach says he isn't quite right so won't be rushed. The Foxsports podcast after Rd 9 said he could be as many as another 6 weeks!
Brumbies Rob Valentini - Limped off with another MCL tear. The Brumbies are hopefully he could be back after the international break.
Reds Aidan Toua - Still struggling with concussion. Not named for Rd 17. Chris Feauai-Sautia - Concussed in Rd 13. Apparently still struggling but was a chance for Rd 16. Still not back in the mix.
Rebels Nil
SOUTH AFRICA Sharks Nil
Stormers Eben Etzebeth – Shoulder nerve injury. Still not right for Rd 17 against the Argies. JD Schickerling – Suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Crusaders. Originally expected back after the international window but he still isn't fit for Rd 17. Juarno Augustus – progressing well from a long term injury but not fit for Rd 17. Damian Willemse - Carried off on a stretcher at the U20 world cup. Injured his knee and should be gone for 4-6 weeks. Source here. Seabelo Senatla - Returned to the Sevens side before the international break. He now isn't fit for rd 17 but we don't know why. Jano Vermaak - Also listed as unavailable for Rd 17. No more details yet.
Lions Robbie Coetzee - Got taken out by his own team mate and injured his left knee. Has gone for surgery and won't be seen again this season (I would think).
Bulls Hendre Stassen - Looked to be in a lot of discomfort with an ankle injury in Rd 14. We might not see him for a while. Marnitz Boshoff - 1/05/18: Recovering well from his meniscus surgery so could be back for Rd 17, probably on the bench.
[getty src="884729236" width="495" height="594" tld="com.au"]
ARGENTINA/JAPAN Jaguares Nil
Sunwolves Nil
OUT FOR THE SEASON:
Otere Black (Blues) – ACL reconstruction Matt Johnson (Blues) - Season ending injury. No further information Scott Scrafton (Blues) - This isn't a new injury but its news to us! Scrafton has been ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. Glenn Preston (Blues)– Groin injury, out for the season. George Moala (Blues) - Pec muscle strain that will keep him out for the season. I assume that means he is having an operation to repair it. Jimmy Tupou (Blues) - Just had his ACL reconstructed, now out for the season. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) – Retired due to concussion Vince Aso (Hurricanes) - Damaged ligaments in his wrist. Confirmed now that he is done for the season. Dane Coles (Hurricanes) – ACL Start of December. Couldn't get his knee straight so had another operation after Rd 14. Now gone for the rest of the season. Alex Fidow (Hurricanes) – Recovered from his fractured cheek but now ruptured a ligament in his big toe. This needs surgery and he will be gone for the season. Source here. Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Wrist fracture I think in Rd 9, out for 12 weeks which apparently could put him back for Rd 19. The Hurricanes are saying he probably wont play again this season. Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) – Injured shoulder in final trial against Brumbies – having surgery and will be out for the season. Atu Moli (Chiefs) – Had a complication with a quad haematoma which required surgery. Ruled out for the season. Mitchell Brown (Chiefs) – Ruptured ACL after round 5, had an operation and out for the season. Dominic Bird (Chiefs) – Ruled out for the season after having an operation on his shoulder. Fin Hoeata (Chiefs) – His shoulder needs a reconstruction so he will be out for the season. Aidan Ross (Chiefs) - Broke his ankle and had to be stretchered off the field. Gone for the season. Sam McNicol (Chiefs) – Recurrent Concussions – now ruled out for the season. Taleni Seu (Chiefs) - Limped off half an hour into the game against the Hurricanes in Rd 9. Now confirmed he has fractured his back and is out for the season. Ben Funnell (Crusaders) - Tore his ACL against the Sunwolves in Rd 10. Out for the season. Oli Jager (Crusaders) - Hurt his shoulder during training before the Lions game (Rd 7). Now decided to have a reconstruction (Rd 11) so won't play again this season. Tom Sanders (Crusaders) - Fractured the ankle in Rd 10 that got a pin in it in preseason. Requires another operation and is very unlikely to play again this season.
Quade Cooper (Reds) – unwanted by reds but still contracted – unlikely to see him play this season. Karmichael Hunt (Reds) – He may be back from his drug trial but Thorn says he hasn't being attending training for the Reds or even club footy. It sounds like his season is as good as done. Source here. Nick Frisby (Reds) – His services will not be needed. Markus Vanzati (Reds) – His services will not be needed. James Slipper (Reds) - Not considered for selection in Rd 14 after testing positive for Cocaine (TWICE). He has now been stood down for two months so we won't see him again this season. Source here. Ben McCalman (Waratahs) – 4th Fractured Scapula (Shoulder blade) in 2 years, Waratahs want a medical before signing him. Looks like they didn’t end up signing him. Josh Mann-Rea (Brumbies) – Tore his hamstring off the bone in round 4, has now had surgery and will be out for the season. Richard Hardwick (Rebels) - MCL (ligament inside of the knee) injury. Out for the season so I assume he has had surgery. Jordan Uelese (Rebels) - Hurt his left knee trying to make a tackle on Akira Ioane. Had to be carried off by two players. Sounds like he has done his ACL and is gone for the season. Lappies Labuschagne (Sunwolves) - His time with the Sunwolves has finished as his contract with the Kubota Spears won't allow him to play any further. This is a real worry for other Sunwolves players since we don't know what each contract outlines, and this came out of no where! Hosea Saumake (Sunwolves) - Ruptured his ACL and will be gone for the season.
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) – ACL reconstruction Jaco Kriel (Lions) – Off season shoulder op – was expected back for Rd 4 but reinjured his shoulder, is having ANOTHER operation and is expected out for a further six months! Looks like he is done for the season. Chris Van Zyl (Stormers) - Out for the rest of the season with a left knee meniscus repair. Source here. Roelof Smit (Bulls) - Injured his knee, "A complete grade 3 tear of his ligament", i'm assuming his MCL, so he is out for 10-12 weeks. The rest of the season. Source here. Rudy Paige (Bulls) – cut from the squad Tim Agaba (Bulls) - Played for the Blue Bulls in Rd 11 and tore his bicep. Has had an operation and is out for four to six months/ the season. Source here. Lood De Jager (Bulls) - Ruptured his Pec muscle in Rd 13 and will be out for four months! Source here. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) - Suffered an injury to the tendon in his toe and will be out for the rest of the year (four to six months) having an operation. Same source as Lood's horror injury. Enrique Pieretto (Jaguares) – ACL Reconstruction Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares) - Came off with a knee injury. Now confirmed as an ACL rupture he will be out for the season having surgery.
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.