The Casualty Ward Rd 14
A huge week of upsets as the Sunwolves got the win and the Waratahs broke the 40 game streak! I'm sure you're like me and you can't wait to see how the NZ franchises play under the pressure of the Australian Super Rugby winning streak this time round. #1nil.
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Episode 13: The Drought is Over!
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Returned from Injuries in Rd 14:
David Havili (Crusaders) - Concussion from a front on head clash with Reece Hodge in Rd 12. Started at fullback and probably had his best game of the year. Tim Perry (Crusaders) - Came back from his hamstring injury. Honestly i'm not sure what he does on the field but someone has taken notice because he is in the AB's squad.. Dalton Papali’i (Blues) - Missed Rd 13 due to illness. Had an outstanding game on the flank. Michael Collins (Blues) - Broke his hand in Rd 9. Came off the bench and had one good crack at the line through the middle. I'm expecting him to start next week, pushing Duffie to the wing. Liam Polwart (Chiefs) - A late scratching last week. Polwart started at hooker because Harris flew home for the AB's camp, didn't really take his opportunity. Sean Wainui (Chiefs) - Came off with a shoulder injury in Rd 10. In a surprise pick he started on the wing of Toni Pulu, didn't have a massive impact but looked solid. Tevita Li (Highlanders) - Flew home from the tour after Rd 11 with a foot injury. Sat on the bench after Nabura had a cracker the week earlier. I'm sure he will start Rd 15.
Scott Higginbotham (Reds) - Made his comeback from a calf injury against the Hurricanes starting at number 8. Got into his work with 9 runs and 9 tackles. Expect a big few weeks from him to finish the year. Isi Naisarani (Brumbies) - Injured his ankle late in the first half of Rd 11. Got subbed around the 60 minute mark and didn't really have any of his trademark big runs. David Pocock (Brumbies) - Had a calf "strain" from rd 11. Was his usual impeccable self at the ruck causing a few turnovers but didn't do much else. Willie Britz (Sunwolves) - Took Labuschagne's role in the pack and as captain. Had his usual high work rate, always a good pick. Kotaro Matsushima (Sunwolves) - Concussed before Rd 10. Started at fullback and was quiet in the first half. Found his way into the game in the 2nd 40 to rank up some solid stats.
Ross Cronje (Lions) – Got 30 minutes off the bench coming back from his rib injury. Should start over Groom next week. Philip van der Walt (Sharks) - Came off late with what looked like a broke nose in Rd 12. He didn't shy away from the contact this week though, looking rocket solid. Jan de Klerk (Stormers) - Cracked his ribs in Rd 9. Came off the bench and did his job, looked physical.
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New Injuries Rd 14:
Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes) - Pulled pregame with a minor knee injury. I'd expect him back next week. Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes) - A late call up to start, he ended up coming off with a bone bruise to his shoulder. They can be sore but if that's all it is I don't see him missing too much time. Matt Proctor (Hurricanes) - Had a recurrence of his sternum problem that made him miss a month early in the year. Reporter Hamish Bidwell says they think it could be days or even weeks to have him back. Ben Lam (Hurricanes) - Had his ankle strapped mid game so we can assume it was minor. It didn't seem to slow him down either! Tyler Ardron (Chiefs) - Copped another concussion so will have to go through the return to play protocol again. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders) - Another concussion. In doubt to play this week. Source here. Owen Franks (Crusaders) - Copped a two week ban for his high shot on Parsons. We will see him back after the international break. Manasa Mataele (Crusaders) - Tore his hamstring and won't play this week. Source here. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) - Ruled our late for hopefully only 1 week. James Parsons (Blues) - Came off for a concussion test. Apparently he passed it but didn't come back on. Matt Duffie (Blues) - Concussion. Tevita Nabura (Highlanders) - Got a red card for fly kicking Waratahs winger Clarke in the face. Copped a 6 week ban meaning we will see him for the last round of the regular season. Source here. Elliot Dixon (Highlanders) - copped a knock on the elbow last weekend. Is apparently in doubt to play.
Rory Arnold (Brumbies) - Copped a red card for a high tackle on Jantjies. Confirmed Sunday night that he will miss 3 weeks. Robbie Abel (Brumbies) - Ruled out before kickoff with a calf injury. Rob Valentini (Brumbies) - Limped off with another knee injury. Suspected to be another MCL tear. Source here. Kazuki Himeno (Sunwolves) - Missed Rd 14 after having his wisdom teeth out. Source here.
Lionel Mapoe (Lions) - Missed this week with a groin injury. Harold Vorster (Lions) - Missed this week with the flu. Hendre Stassen (Bulls) - Looked to be in a lot of discomfort with an ankle injury. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers) - Ruled out of Rd 15 due to illness.
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Likely back for this week (Rd 15):
Luke Romano (Crusaders) - Out with an ankle injury before Rd 11. Available again this week. Josh Goodhue (Blues) - Concussion in Rd 12. Not much word out of the Blues camp (as usual) but surely he is back soon. TJ Faiane (Blues) - Was meant to be out for at least two weeks with an ankle sprain. Expected back from Rd 13 but he missed the 23. Not sure if he isn't right yet or if he just isn't in the picture with so many players returning. Tei Walden (Highlanders) - Ruled out of Rd 14 with concussion symptoms. Source here. Richard Buckman (Highlanders) – Aggravated an old neck/ nerve injury. Mauger said he was a possibility for this week. Source here. Liam Squire (Highlanders) – Fractured his thumb then had to have it fractured again so it would heal properly! Was expected to miss the France tests but it sounds like he is now a chance to play this week. Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Abdominal strain before Rd 12 ruled him out on match day before kick off. Now along with Boshier was ruled out of the 2 week South Africa trip. Should make his comeback this week. Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) - Appendicitis ruled him out of Rd 12-14. Expecting him back this week unless he has needed an operation. No word yet. The Chiefs All Blacks - Nathan Harris, Brodie Retallick, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Chris Feauai-Sautia (Reds) - Concussed in Rd 13. Apparently still struggling and is in doubt this week. Source here. Caleb Timu (Reds) - Ankle Syndesmosis sprain (high ankle sprain). Missed Rd 13 and then didn't quite recover for Rd 14. Should play this week. Lukhan Tui (Reds) - Apparently fue back from his Rd 9 knee injury. Source here. Geoff Parling (Rebels) - Came off in the 44th minute in Rd 13, not sure if it was a concussion or an early sub, should be in the mix again this week. Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels) – Making his return froma neck injury from fullback. Ben Daley (Rebels) - Recovered from a shoulder injury to take his spot on the bench. Jordan Uelese (Rebels) - Came off with nerve damage near his bicep in Rd 10. Has been targeting a return for rd 15 against the Sunwolves. Source here. Wharenui Hawera (Brumbies) - Came off Rd 13 with an ankle injury. Ended up being rested for Rd 14 to give Godwin a chance but I think we may see him get another crack this week. Keita Inagaki (Sunwolves) - Out for 4-6 weeks from Rd 9 with a knee injury. Now makes his return on the bench. James Moore (Sunwolves) - Concussion in Rd 11. Starting this week. Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves) - Ruled out of Rd 14 for 2-3 weeks with a dislocated finger. Makes his comeback early this week via the bench. Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves) - Originally ruled out for two weeks due to a rib cartilage injury but he has made his comeback early on the wing this week.
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) - Was rested as a precaution due to a minor injury. Expect him back this week. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers) – Burst appendix before Rd 1. Made his comeback to club footy last week so he could play this week. Burger Odendaal (Bulls) - Recovered from a rib injury and will be available for his team’s must-win clash against the Brumbies. Source here.
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Ongoing Injury List:
NEW ZEALAND Highlanders Thomas Umaga-Jensen – Shoulder injury. The midfielder should return after the June break for Rd 17. Siate Tokolahi - Hyper extended his right knee getting chop tackled in Rd 10. These tackles have always been a bit suspect. Grade 2 tear to his MCL (inside ligament) has him out for an expected 4-6 weeks.
Hurricanes The Hurricanes this year won't play anyone that isn't fit to play fully on Monday of the game week. Asafo Aumua - 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. Wes Goosen - Broke his jaw against the Chiefs in Rd 9. Expected back in July after the international break.
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 – Out for first 6 weeks, had screws removed from old leg fracture operation. No news and no idea when he will be back. Nepo Laulala – Fractured left forearm requiring surgery. Out for 8-12 weeks (30th April to 28th May). Not in the ABs squad due to injury so we won't see him until after the break. Kane Hames – Struggling with concussion. Ruled out of the June internationals. Tiaan Falcon - Hand injury before Rd 11, expected to return to play in the next 3-4 weeks. Crusaders Kieran Read – Coming back from 2017 back surgery. Ruled out of rugby until at least after the International break. He made his first appearance at Crusaders training at "walking speed" only after Rd 13. Source here. Joe Moody - Copped a 2 week ban for "that elbow" in Rd 13. Sam Whitelock - Ruled out to play the Blues on Saturday night because of concussion. Did not recover in time for the Hurricanes. Israel Dagg - Reinjured his dodgy knee in Rd 11. Did not get back in time to play the Hurricanes. Source here.
Blues Isaac Salmon – Elbow Alex Hodgman – Injured his arm in rd 5 and has been flown home because he “won’t be fit for this week”. No idea when he will be back but still not fit for round 8. Daniel Kirkpatrick - Rib injury. Jordan Trainor - Hand injury Blake Gibson – Shoulder injury, as of the 7th of March he was about seven weeks away. I expected him to play round 11 but still no dice! Patrick Tuipulotu - Took another knock to an ongoing shoulder injury. He is now "extremely doubtful" to be right in time to play the internationals, and even at risk of missing the rest of the season. Source here.
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! Ned Hanigan - MCL injury from a clean out by Scott Barrett in Rd13. Apparently he is in a brace and is likely out until the June internationals. Expect him back for Rd 17. Source here.
Brumbies Chance Peni - Cited for his high shot on Dagg in Rd 12. He has been banned for 5 rounds of Super Rugby given it is his third ban in 12 months! He won't be available until after the June international break, so probably round 17. Source here.
Reds Karmichael Hunt – 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.
Rebels Ross Haylett-Petty - Came off during half time with concussion in Rd 10. Apparently he is still struggling (22/5/18). Will Genia - Came off just before half time with an MCL injury. They have said he should be gone for 4 weeks, which makes him a maybe for the Blues in Rd 16. Source here. Richard Hardwick - Another one with an MCL injury. Probably targeting a return after the international break. Source here.
SOUTH AFRICA Sharks Nil
Stormers Eben Etzebeth – Shoulder nerve injury. Flek says he won't even consider him until their rd 17 game against the Jaguares at the earliest. Source here. JD Schickerling – Suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Crusaders, has been flown home from the tour. Out for four months so will be back after the international window. Juarno Augustus – progressing well from a long term injury. Sergeal Petersen – Injured his MCL (knee) and has been sidelined for four months. Sounds like he will be available from about Rd 10. At this stage i'm not sure if he is in the frame for selection or not. Source here. Jano Vermaak - Cracket rib Rd 10. Could have played Rd 12 but they chose to give him an extra week. Source here. Justin Phillips - Broke 2 ribs in Rd 7 and will miss 6 weeks. Surely he will be the 3rd choice half back by then. Damian Willemse - Now officially away with his U20s side. We probably won't see him until Rd 17. Source here.
Lions Courtnall Skosan – ACL in January – Said to be back after their Australasian tour for rd 14 but he released a video of him running at max 85%, i'm not sure exactly where his rehab is but to me he looks like he could well be months away. Warren Whiteley – Re-irritated his knee before Rd 10. Apparently his return is "around the corner". Source here. Malcolm Marx - Apaprently a high hamstring tear which could keep him out for six weeks. Tread carefully with this one because it wouldn't surprise me if it quickly became 12 weeks. Source here.
Bulls Franco Naude – Undergone shoulder surgery and will be out for four months from Rd 2 – Roughly Rd 15. Hanro Liebenberg - Injured his knee in Rd 9, sounds like an MCL injury. Getting scans this week, expected to be out for 6-8 weeks so he won't return until after the international break. Source here. Pierre Schoeman - Not technically an injured but he has been cited for allegedly biting a Rebels player. UPDATE 24/4: Banned for six weeks! Source here. Jannes Kirsten - Expected back towards the end of May from a nerve injury. Marnitz Boshoff - 1/05/18: Recovering well from his meniscus surgery. Jamba Ulengo – Ongoing Patella Tendon issue- Training with the squad since before Rd 10. They will be very careful with quickly they have to load him up with running so it could be a while until we see him.
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ARGENTINA/JAPAN Jaguares Matías Moroni – Shoulder operation – Set to play for the Argentinian XV (development side) for his first game this week. Source here. Pablo Matera - Suffered a shoulder "sprain and bicep tendon injury" just before half time Rd 10. He is expected to be out for 2-3 months meaning he will miss the June internationals and play from Rd 17 at the earliest, or even miss the rest of the season. Source here. Tomás Cubelli – Coming back from his fractured neck, Played with the Argentina XV team from week 10 of Super Rugby. Word is that we might not see him for a few weeks.
Sunwolves Shinya Makabe – Sprained ankle. No word on a return date. Gerhard Van Den Heever – Groin pain – being managed.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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!
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. 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.
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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.