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:
Ben O'Donnell (Brumbies) - Collapsed on his left knee when trying to step the defence. Nothing has been confirmed, but it is about as typical a mechanism you can see to tear your ACL. The latest reports echo this. Source.
Pone Fa'amausili (Rebels) - Came off with a concussion after taking a shot around the eye.
Sam Talakai (Rebels) - Limped off near the end of the game. Was only on the field because Pone had gone off.
Carter Gordon (Rebels) - Was unhappy about being pulled off for an HIA late in the game. We aren't sure if he passed or failed that test.
Bryce Hegarty (Force) - Came off with a knee injury after having hyperextending it.
Bayley Kuenzle (Force) - Injured is hamstring and won't play rd 11. Source.
Tim Anstee (Force) - Failed an HIA at the half time break so will have to go through the concussion protocols.
Santiago Medrano (Force) - Ruled out pregame due to a rib injury. Source.
Rahboni Vosayaco (Force) - Pulled out pregame to be with his partner for the arrival of their 2nd child. Source.
James O'Connor (Reds) - Apparently was sick heading into the game, got worse by half time so was pulled as a precaution.
Ray Niuia (Moana) - Came off with a concussion late in the match.
James Blackwell (Hurricanes) - Came off early with a concussion.
Caleb Delaney (Hurricanes) - Came off early with a concussion.
Dom Bird (Hurricanes) - Misses rd 11 through illness. Source.
Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes) - Limped off after about 60 minutes.
Finlay Brewis (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame with a shoulder injury. Source.
Chay Fihaki (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame.
Willi Heinz (Crusaders) - Injured his calf in the warm up. Source.
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) - Will sit out rd 11 as a precaution, after taking a knock to his Achilles last week against the Chiefs. Source.
Dallas McLeod (Crusaders) - Came off with a shoulder injury in the second half.
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs) - Misses out on rd 11 due to a groin strain. In doubt for round 12 as well. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Misses rd 11 with illness. Source.
Mark Telea (Blues) - On his All Black rest week for rd 11. Source.
Likely back for Round 11:
Stacey Ili (Rebels) - Concused in rd 9, all going well he should be back this week.
Richard Hardwick (Rebels) - Suffered a calf injury in rd 4. Expected back this week. Source.
Josh Canham (Rebels) - Expected back after missing last week through injury. Source.
Matt Philip (Rebels) - Ruptured his ACL at training on October 19th. Considered an outside chance of returning in round 11. Source.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Concussed in rd 8. We thought he would be back last week, he is apparently targeting a rd 11 return.
Tom Hooper (Brumbies) - Suffered a serious foot injury on the Feb 11 trial. Finally makes his return via the bench.
Pete Samu (Brumbies) - Came off with an ankle injury in rd 8 that ruled him out of rd 9. Expected to play rd 11. Source.
Blake Schoupp (Brumbies) - Concussed in rd 8. Back on the bench this week.
Harry Wilson (Waratahs) - Suffered a concussion in rd 9. Aiming to play rd 11. Source.
Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Should be back from a concussion this week.
Angus Blyth (Reds) - Was given three weeks for taking Corey Toole's head off. Meaning he will should play rd 11. Source.
Santiago Medrano (Force) - Back this week after missing last week with a rib injury. Source.
Isi Naisarani (Force) - Making is first appearance after signing and recovering from a knee injury. Source.
Alamanda Motuga (Moana) - Returns from his hamstring strain to start at openside flanker. Source.
Meli Derenalagi (Drua) - Back via the bench after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring injury. Source.
Dane Coles (Hurricanes) - Missing rd 10 with a concussion, all going well we expect him back this week. Source.
Justin Sangster (Hurricanes) - Recovered from his thumb injury to start this weekend. Was originally planning on playing club rugby but has been thrown in the deep end given the clubs lock shortage. Source.
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) - Missed rd 9 and 10 with a shoulder injury. Back starting this week. Source.
Billy Harmon (Highlanders) - Misses rd 10 due to personal reasons, given he Highlanders are headed home we think there is a decent chance he could play. Source.
Martin Bogado (Highlanders) - Tore his quad scoring in round 6. Was touch and go to play rd 9 so he should be fit this week now they return to NZ. Source.
Josh Dickson (Highlanders) - Left at home for rd 9 due to personal reasons which we can only assume is due to the ongoing concerns for his brother's health. Played the last home game so we expect he will be available. Source.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues) - Injured his hand in rd 4. Fit for rd 10 against the Drua but wasn't selected due to"readiness". Source.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Blues) - Missing since rd 7 due to a knee injury, he returns off the bench this week.
Will Jordan (Crusaders) - Has a migraine-related condition. He has been given the clear by the specialist and is now just getting confident. Was apparently "very close" to playing rd 9. Source. But still a week-by-week proposition. Source.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Rolled his ankle in Rd 1. Finally back starting in te 12 jersey this week. Source.
Alex Nankivell (Chiefs) - Concussed in rd 5, Back off the bench this week. Source.
Returned in Round 10:
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Made his comeback via the bench from a concussion.
Corey Toole (Brumbies) - Back from a big concussion in rd 7 and tore it up from the Brums.
Gareth Simpson (Force) - Back via the bench from his quad tear a couple of weeks earlier.
Zach Kibirige (Force) - Back after missing rd 9 with hamstring soreness.
Langi Gleeson (Waratahs) - Back from a calf injury in rd 4.
Hugh Sinclair (Waratahs) - Returned from a right shoulder blade fracture in rd 3.
Dave Porecki (Waratahs) - Returned from a concussion in rd 8.
Michael Hooper (Waratahs) - Back from his Wallabies rest week.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) - Back from his Wallabies rest week.
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs) - Back from his Wallabies rest week.
Liam Wright (Reds) - Returned quicker than expected from a hand injury.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Played his first game since rd 7 due to injury.
Tamati Ioane (Rebels) - Made his first appearance of the season off the bench this week. We assume his absence was due to injury.
Frank Lomani (Drua) - Returned from a knee injury to start in the 9 jersey.
Alex McRobbie (Moana) - Back from a rd 5 shoulder injury via the bench.
Lotu Inisi (Moana) - Suffered a knee laceration back in rd 5 which he has only just returned from.
Christian Leali'ifano (Moana) - Missing since round 6 with a neck injury, he started at 10 this week.
Jonathan Taumateine (Moana) - Missed the final trial with a Hamstring injury. Made his long-awaited return off the bench.
Dalton Papali'i (Blues) - Missed rd 9 with a niggly rib injury, he looked to be at 100% this week.
AJ Lam (Blues) - Back off via the bench after being pulled pregame rd 6.
Aaron Smith (Highlanders) - Missed round 9 after his father passed away. The All Black great had an inspired game on his return.
Folau Fakatava (Highlanders) - Cameback via the bench after missing rd 9 through illness.
Jona Nareki (Highlanders) - The flyer had a bone stress injury in his foot before rd 1, made his much-anticipated return via the bench.
Rhys Marshall (Highlanders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 4. Finally made his return off the bench.
Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Back from a concussion in rd 8.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Back from a concussion in rd 8.
Brad Weber (Chiefs) - Back from an All Black's rest last week.
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Chiefs) - Brought in as an injury replacement for Quinn Tupaea. Recovered from his own injury to play this week.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) - Back after missing last week due to a family bereavement.
Oli Jager (Crusaders) - Sustained a neck injury late in the NPC in 2022 which required surgery. It was great to see him make his return via the bench.
Leicester Fainga'anuku (Crusaders) - Back after missing the last three weeks with a tight calf.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Crusaders) - Was a late inclusion to replace Finlay Brewis after recovering from a neck injury in rd 5.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
Izack Rodda - Broke his foot again in the final trial against the Drua. On the rd 9 pregame broadcast he said he was aiming to play rd 13. Source.
Jeremy Thrush - Injured his heel in rd 3. Will miss at least two weeks, then will decide if he will keep playing this season or not. Source.
Folau Fainga'a - Missed round 6 with another flare-up of his Achilles problem after only just returning in rd 5. Still not recovered for rd 8. Source.
Isi Naisarani - Has just signed with the Force before rd 9 and is apparently training with the squad. However he is also apparently recovering from a knee injury. Source.
Ollie Callan - Came off on a stretcher with a neck injury in rd 9. Released from hospital the next day, we have heard he has a neck brace on but nothing is broken. Is aiming to play again at some stage this season. Source.
Toni Pulu - Came off with a concussion after hitting his head hard on the turf. Expected to miss "several weeks". Source.
Tom Robertson - Missed round 10 with a small calf tear. Expected to miss a couple of weeks, she we would expect him back roughly rd 12. Source.
Brumbies
Nil
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. Aiming to return before the finals. Source.
Isaac Henry - Has a hamstring injury that ruled him out of rd 8. Source.
Rebels
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.
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.
Anaru Rangi - Has been battling a calf injury that kept him out of rd 7. Source.
Waratahs
Lachie Swinton - Cited for a high shot on Jake Strachan. He has been banned for 7 weeks, which means he will be back for the first round of finals. Brett McKay says he can go to tackle school to return one week earlier. Source.
Tane Edmed - Suffered a back injury in rd 4. Has a stress fracture in his back and isn't expected to return for another 6 weeks as of rd 8. The Tahs still have him listed as a possibility from rd 11. Source.
Nemani Nadolo - Suffered a new knee injury. Not expected to play until at least rd 13. Source.
Tom Lambert - Came off with a knee injury in rd 9. Apparently it is a bone bruise, so a return timeline isn't completely known. Conservatively he should be back in six weeks.
NEW ZEALAND
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.
Cam Miller - Limped off the field with an ankle injury in rd 7, will be out for 6 weeks. 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.
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.
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. Still nursing an ongoing groin issue. 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.
Bailyn Sullivan - Missed rd 9 with an injury. Source.
Daniel Sinkinson - Listed as injured as of rd 10. Source.
Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder - Tore his calf in rd 5. Expected to miss 6 weeks. Source.
Blues
Stephen Perofeta - Came off in rd 9 with a left shoulder instability episode. Expected to be out for a month which puts his return around rd 14. Source.
Nepo Laulala - Suffered a calf injury in rd 9. Expected to be out for a month which puts his return around rd 14. Source.
Patrick Tuipulotu - Aggravated a knee injury in rd 9 and missed round 10. No set return timeline has been published. 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
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. As of rd 10 he said he still had a few things to tick off before returning, but hopefully wasn't too far away. Source.
Joe Apikotoa - Came off with a concussion in rd 7.
Sam Slade - Limped off the field in rd 7.
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.
Will Harrison (Waratahs) - Originally expected to play rd 8 for the Tahs, he reinjured his ACL playing club rugby and will miss the rest of the season. 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.
George Bower (Crusaders) - Tore his ACL in rd 6. Had a knee reconstruction in the second week of April and won't be back until 2024. 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.