Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 10-11

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 10:

Tom Ross (Waratahs) - Injured his MCL early in the match. Managed to play on up to 50 mins. Aiming to be back by rd 15 at the earliest (so likely a 4-6 week, grade 2 injury). Source.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Waratahs) - Pulled from the game late with a thigh cork. Source.
Joey Walton (Waratahs) - Suffered a foot injury which will keep him out until at least rd 13 at the earliest. Source.
Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Suffered a neck injury in rd 10. Out until rd 12 at the earliest. Source.
Jed Holloway (Waratahs) - Suffered a concussion, won’t be back until rd 12 at the earliest. Source.
Corey Toole (Brumbies) - Left the contest early with a foot injury. Source.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Was taken off with a concussion. Source.
Blake Schoupp (Brumbies) - Was stretchered off late in the piece. Source.
Billy Pollard (Brumbies) - Pulled up from a midweek session with knee soreness and will be out of this weeks game. Source.
Zuriel Togiatama (Drua) - Came off injured. No more details yet.
Nic White (Force) - Ruled out of rd 11 with a knee injury. Source.
Sam Carter (Force) - Ruled out of rd 11 with a hamstring injury. Source.
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Ruled out of rd 11 and 12 with a hamstring injury. They hope it is only 2 weeks out. Source.

Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) - Tore his hamstring while scoring. Isn’t expected to take him long to recover but won’t play rd 11. To us that means he is most likely a grade 1 hamstring tear, so it’ll [probably be a 1-2 week injury. Source.
Jimmy Tupou (Chiefs) - Out of rd 11 with a facial fracture. Won’t require surgery so could be back for the end of the season. Source.
Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders) - Came off with a possible leg injury. However there was no mention of it in his post match interview so it might be nothing.
William Havili (Moana) - Limped off the field after diving back for a loose ball. Looked like a hamstring injury but no official news on this yet.
James O’Reilly (Hurricanes) - Came off with a concussion and failed the HIA. With a 6 day turnaround he will not play round 11 either. Source.
Rhys Patchell (Highlanders) - Came off with a left pec injury. They expect him to be out for 6-8 weeks so it must be a partial tear. Source.
Hugh Renton (Highlanders) - Pulled from the bench pregame on his return from his syndesmosis sprain. Announced now that he is going for surgery and will be out for the season. Source.
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders) - Out this week for an All Black’s rest week. Source.

Likely Back for Round 11:

Fraser McReight (Reds) - Banned for 3 weeks in rd 8 after being given a red card for a high tackle, has gone through tackle school to reduce it to two weeks. Source.
Tom Franklin (Force) - Came off with a concussion in rd 9 so could return this week.

Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) - Rested from rd 10 with an inflamed bursa in his knee, so could be back. Source.
Tom Christie (Crusaders) - The stand-in captain on the Australia tour was rested for last week so was expected to return. Looks like they are just not picking him on form now. Source.
Leigh Halfpenny (Crusaders) - Tore his pec muscle in the first trial on February 3rd forcing him from the field in their game with Munster. Back at fullback this week. Source.
Cameron Suafoa (Blues) - Has only played twice this season as he goes through surgery and radiation for cancer. Source. Joins the side for rd 11. Source.
Solomone Funaki (Moana) - Makes his first appearance of the season having recovered from a long injury layoff. Source.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Not considered for rd 10 due to injury but back this week on the bench. Source.
Ollie Norris (Chiefs) - Listed as out with an ankle injury for round 10 but back this week on the bench. Source.

Returned in Round 10:

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Drua) - Back after being given last week off to grieve a family member. Source.
Etonia Waqa (Drua) - Back from a rd 6 knee injury.
Michael Naitokani (Drua) - Back after a rd 4 injury.
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) - Played 40 minutes on his return from a ruptured Achilles in July.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Recovered from a rd 4 knee injury to start this week.
Andy Muirhead (Brumbies) - Injured his knee in rd 4, came back via the bench this week.
Jeremy Williams (Force) - Returned via the bench from a rd 5 calf injury.
Feleti Kaitu’u (Force) - Back off the bench for the first time this season. We aren’t 100% if his absence was due to injury.
Josh Flook (Reds) - Missed rd 9 with an AC joint injury, started this week but wasn’t heavily involved.
Conor Vest (Reds) - Made his return to Super Rugby after being out for 11 months. Source.
Rob Leota (Rebels) - Back off the bench after being missing since rd 6.

Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders) - Recovered from an Achilles Rupture and repair to start.
Fabian Holland (Highlanders) - Returned from a concussion this week.
Jermaine Ainsley (Highlanders) - Injured his back at the end of rd 5, back off the bench this week.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Broken his finger before round 4, made his comeback in the starting jersey this week.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Returned after being missing since round 6 with a calf injury.
Lotu Inisi (Moana) - Back off the bench after coming off with a concussion in rd 6.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Played his first game off the season via the bench having recovered from injury.
Neria Fomai (Moana) - Played his first game off the season via the bench having recovered from injury.
Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) - Returned from a neck injury/ concussion in rd 8.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Pulled pregame rd 8, back starting this week.
Caleb Clarke (Blues) - Was benched this week after being on lighter training loads with a calf niggle.
Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes) - Came back off the bench having recovered from his shoulder reconstruction. Source.

Ongoing Injury List:

AUSTRALIA

Western Force
Harry Hoopert - Sustained a ligament injury in his right knee in training a fortnight ago (as of 20th Feb). Has since undergone surgery and will miss 3-4 months. Source.
Felix Kalapu - Underwent hamstring surgery last week (mid Feb) following a tear in training. Unavailable for the first half of Super Rugby. Source.
Campbell Parata - Recovering from a hamstring injury. Source.
Papillon Sevele - Undergoing rehab in Sydney in preseason for a right ACL injury sustained playing for his club. Source.
Angus Wagner - Unavailable for the first half of Super Rugby following meniscal surgery. Source.
Reesjan Pasitoa - Dislocated his elbow in training and had surgery to repair his ligaments on Monday 19th Feb. Will require a 10-12-week recovery period. Putting his return around early May. Source.
Siosifa Amone - Dislocated his thumb in training and had surgery to repair his ligaments Feb 19th. 6-8-week return to play so rds 7-9. Source.
Harry Potter - Injured his syndesmosis in rd 6 and going for surgery. Will miss the rest of the season.
Atu Moli - Is currently injured with ongoing hip injuries. Source.
Ryan Coxon - Came off with a cat 1 concussion in rd 9 but wasn’t selected for rd 11, we assume this means he hasn’t recovered.
Ben Funnell - Came off with a concussion in rd 9 so the earliest he could play was rd 11. He wasn’t selected but we didn’t know if this was form or ongoing concussion protocols.

Brumbies
Ben O'Donnell - Still a couple of weeks away from returning from a torn ACL before rd 5. Source.
Ed Kennedy - Missing the preseason with an infection. Racing the clock to be fit for round one. Source.

Reds
James O’Connor - Suffered a hamstring tendon injury in preseason. Expected to be an 8-12 week injury, but most likely aiming to now be back in rd 12 if all goes well. Source.
Tate McDermott - Banned for 3 weeks in rd 8 after being given a red card for striking. Source.
Seru Uru - Broke his thumb and had an operation after rd 8. Will miss 4-6 weeks. Source.
Cormac Daly - Picked up a couple of niggling injuries out of last weekend’s win which cost him round 10. Source.

Rebels
Brad Wilkin - Has a grade three hamstring tear and had surgery on the 8th of March. Likely out for 10 weeks (to the season). Source.
Jake Strachan - Came off with a left shoulder injury in rd 6.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Suffered a foot injury during their win over the Highlanders in rd 9 and is expected to miss around six weeks. Source.

Waratahs
Dave Porecki - Picked up an Achilles injury in the preseason. Won’t play again this season as he has ongoing issues. Source.
Archer Holz - Aiming to return from a shoulder injury in round 8 but wasn’t named. Listed as TBC for a return date as of rd 11. Source.
Ned Slack-Smith - Has a concussion. No return date set yet. 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
Blair Ryall - Tore his MCL after rd 2 out will be out for three months. Source.
Jonah Lowe - Came off with a knee injury in rd 8. Has torn his ACL so will have surgery and miss 9-12 months. Source.
Jona Nareki - Missed round 10 with a hamstring injury. Will apparently miss another 3-4 weeks, putting his return at roughly round 14 give or take a week. Source.

Chiefs
Josh Lord - Had a minor ankle sprain in rd 6, Was expected to play rd 11 but they are giving him one extra week to make sure he is completely right. Source.

Hurricanes
Asafo Aumua - Came off with a left knee MCL injury in rd 9, will be out for 6-8 weeks. Source.
Dane Coles - Clark Laidlaw revealed they sent an SOS to the former All Black and Hurricane, only for the veteran to suffer a hamstring injury before rd 9. Source.

Crusaders
Braydon Ennor - Out for the season as he recovers from an ACL reconstruction in August. Apparently, he had an infection in his knee early post-op which has slowed his recovery. He is aiming to play in the back half of 2024. Source.
Manasa Mataele - Pulled pregame rd 3 and then replaced in rd 4. No news on what he did or if he is still injured. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Pulled pregame rd 3 and not in the squad for rd 4. No news on what he did or if he is still injured. Source.
Tamaiti Williams - Has a “significant” tear in his hamstring in rd 1. On track to return in rd 12. Source.
Fergus Burke - Suffered an Achilles Injury in October. Aiming to be back in 3-4 weeks as of rd 10. Source.
Zach Gallagher - Expected back soon as of rd 10 from a concussion. Source.
Codie Taylor - Meant to return rd 11 from a ‘non-playing sabbatical’. Now apparently targeting rd 12. Source.

Blues
Jordan Lay - Fractured his ankle in rd 3, had surgery and will be out for the season (3-4 months). Source.
Finlay Christie - Missing rd 7 due to a groin injury. We were originally told he would be back for rd 9 but now they are saying he is still further away than rd 11. Source.
Rob Rush - Missed rd 7-11 due to a calf injury. Source.
Kade Banks - Missed rd 7 due to a concussion. Source.
Zarn Sullivan - Came off with a PCL injury in rd 5. Hoping to join the side for rd 11 but didn’t quite recover. Source.
Stephen Perofeta - Was forced off the field with a bruised shoulder blade in rd 6. Hoping to join the side for rd 11 but didn’t quite recover. Source.
Akira Ioane (Blues) - Missed rds 10 and 11 on paternity leave. Source.

PACIFIKA TEAMS

Fiji Drua
Caleb Muntz - Ruptured his ACL in training in September last year. A 9 month post return puts him at mid-June. Source.
Frank Lomani- Red carded for throwing an elbow to Canham’s head in rd 7. Banded for 6 weeks so he should return rd 14.
Jone Koroiduadua - Headbutted someone and was red carded in rd 7, banned for 2 weeks. Will return in rd 11.

Moana Pasifika
Alamanda Motuga - Unavailable for round 2 due to injury. Source.
James Lay - Unavailable for round 2 due to injury. Source.
Samuel Slade - Unavailable for round 2 due to injury. Source.
Anzelo Tuitavuki - Listed as injured as of round 5. Source.
Lalomilo Lalomilo - Listed as injured as of round 5. Source.
Ofa Tauatevalu - Listed as injured as of round 5. Source.
Kyren Taumoefolau - Came off late with a leg injury in rd 7.

Gone for the season:
Lachie Lonergan (Brumbies) - Suffered a fractured dislocation to his ankle in rd 6. Our opinion is that he will likely need surgery and miss at least six months. Source.
Isaac Henry (Reds) - Tore his patella tendon in rd 4 and will miss the rest of the season. Roughly a 9 month injury. Source.
Jordan Petaia (Reds) - Dislocated his right shoulder in rd 9. Going for surgery then hoping to play some part in the tests later this year. I would expect a 5-6 month recovery. Source.
Mesu Kunavula (Waratahs) – Knee, will be out for the season. Source.
Tom Lambert (Waratahs) - Had surgery the week of Feb 12th after damaging his meniscus in his knee in a rolling maul. Was originally said to be a 3 months return but he is now listed as out for the year. Source.
Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs) - Tore his meniscus in rd 6 and will be out for the season.
Angus Bell (Waratahs) - Came off with a recurrence of the toe injury in rd 7 that has already cost him two super rugby seasons. Sounds like he had a cavovarus foot reconstruction to reshape his high arch in the hope it stops the injury from happening again in future. As of 24th April he is expected to be out for 5 months. Source. Source.
Theo Fourie (Waratahs) - Suffered a season ending foot injury in rd 9. Source.
Daniel Botha - Gone for the season with an Achillies injury. Source.

Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) - Had an ACL rupture and repair mid-September. A 9-month recovery puts him back in mid-June so he is likely gone for the season. Source.
Connor McLeod (Highlanders) - Injured his ACL around rd 2 and needs surgery. Will be out for 9-12 months. Source.
Kaleb Trask (Chiefs) - is still managing a long-term injury and has now been replaced in the official squad. Source.
Cam Roigaard (Hurricanes) - Ruptured his patella tendon in rd 6. Has gone for surgery and will be out for 6-7 months. Source.
Jacob Devery (Hurricanes) - Suffered a knee injury in pre-season. Gone for the season. Source.
Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Will go for surgery just before the season kicks off to repair a shoulder that has been a lingering problem since last season. Will miss the entire Super Rugby season. Source.

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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.