The Super Rugby AU & Aotearoa seasons are warming up, which means the return of your beloved Casualty Ward! 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.
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Returning from injury (AU Rd 1 & Aotearoa Rd 1):
Nathan Harris (Chiefs) – Had a rotator cuff (shoulder muscle) repair on the 15th of January 2020. Miss all of Super Rugby 2020. Said to be back fit this year.
Atu Moli (Chiefs) – Had FAI (hip impingement) surgery on both hips to treat chronic hip dysfunction. Missed the entire 2020 season. Source.
Michael Allardice (Chiefs) – Missed the 2020 season having undergone surgery for a shoulder reconstruction in March, we expect him to be back for the start of the season. Source.
Laghlan McWhannell (Chiefs) – Missed the 2020 season for both Super Rugby and the Mitre 10 cup having gone under the knife to have a patellar tendon debridement (this is not a good sign for such a young player).
Quinten Strange – Suffered a chest injury in rd 10 and missed the back end of the year. Source.
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders) – Now had a meniscus clean up in his knee after being scratched from rd 4 in 2020. Missed the season but we would expect he is back to start this year.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) – Ruled out of action for 6-8 weeks with a Bennett’s fracture (fractured thumb) that required an operation in rd 3. So will be back to start the year. Source.
David Havili (Crusaders) – Suffered a Bennett’s fracture in his thumb last year but recovered to play in the Mitre 10 cup.
Tom Robinson (Blues) – Had a meniscal tear cleaned up in his knee after rd 1. Played all of the Mitre 10 cup so he will be fit to start.
James Parsons (Blues) – Concussed in Rd 5 last year, he still hasn’t played but it sounds like he should be fit. Source.
Tanielu Tele’a (Blues) – Had a shoulder injury after round 6 last year but played throughout the Mitre 10 cup without any issues.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) – Was ruled out for last season but played through the Mitre 10 cup.
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Highlanders) – Played through the Mitre 10 cup after around 2 years out with injury.
Ricky Jackson (Highlanders) – Missed the entire SR campaign with an ankle injury and operation but returned for the Mitre 10 cup.
James Lentjes (Highlanders) – Fracture dislocated his ankle in February 2020, had surgery and missed the season. The expected recovery is 6-9 months so he should be fit for round 1 this season. Source.
Connor Garden-Bachop (Highlanders) – Had an operation on his back last year and missed the Super Rugby season. Came back in the Mitre 10 cup.
Tevita Nabura (Highlanders) – Missed all of last Aotearoa season with a back injury but was fit for the Mitre 10 cup.
Josh Dickson (Highlanders) – Brok a bone in his lower leg in Aotearoa Rd 5 but made his comeback in Mitre 10 cup.
Toni Pulu (Western Force) – Had shoulder surgery early March 2020 and missed the full season. No word on his fitness yet but he should be fit. Source.
Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin (Brumbies) – Missed last Super Rugby season after rupturing his Achilles on the 25th of January. Twelve months should be long enough for him to be back into it in round 1 although we haven’t heard anything specific.
Ryan Louwrens (Rebels) – Has had an operation on his ruptured bicep in August and missed the rest of the season. I’d expect him to be fit for around the start of the season.
New players:
Rene Ranger (Crusaders) – The former All Black has been brought in as an injury replacement for George Bridge. Source.
Josh McKay (Crusaders) – The former Highlanders flyer has been thrown a lifeline by the Crusaders coming in as injury cover for Braydon Ennor. Source.
New Injuries (preseason):
Julian Montoya (Western Force) – Had some issues with his paper work and will no longer join the Force. He is joining Leicester Tigers instead. Source.
Liam Squire (Highlanders) – Has been limping at training as he gets back into the big training load required. Should play in the “early rounds” but isn’t expected to be 100% fit at the start of the season. Had knee and hip surgery last year as well. Source.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
Nil
Brumbies
Nil
Reds
Lukhan Salakai-Loto – Still has two weeks to go on his ban from the end of last year so he won’t play until round 3.
Dane Zander – Suffered a knee injury in training before rd 6 and missed the rest of the season. We aren’t sure if he will be fit for the start of the season.
Josh Flook – Dislocated his shoulder and had surgery in August. A 6 month return time would place him around late February. Source.
Rebels
Nil
Waratahs
Nil
NEW ZEALAND
Highlanders
Pari Pari Parkinson – Suffered an ankle injury in rd 10 and had an operation, due back in April. Source.
Kazuki Himeno – stuck in Japan due to COVID. Source.
Sam Gilbert – Tore his ACL in rd 3 and will miss 9 months. Due back around April 2021. Source.
Solomon Alaimalo – Dislocated his shoulder in July, no word yet on if he will be fully fit for the start of the season.
Chiefs
Nil
Hurricanes
Jamie Booth – Tore his MCL and PCL in his knee, plus fractured his tibial plateau (surface of his knee joint). Had an operation in October. I’d suspect he is about six months (April) to return as a minimum. Source.
Crusaders
Braydon Ennor – Tore his ACL in the North V South game and is not due back until after SR Aotearoa. Source.
George Bridge – Recovering from a pec muscle repair in mid October. Said to be out for six months he should return by mid April. Source.
Manasa Mataele – Recovering from a pec muscle repair in mid October only a few days after Bridge. Said to be out for six months he should return by mid April. Source.
Blues
Ray Niuia – Had a knee injury that cost him his 2020 season. We assume he is back competing for a spot this year.
Soane Vikena – The NZ U20s hooker will miss the season with a shoulder injury from back in November. Source.
Gone for the season:
Nil
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.