Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 14-15
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 14:
Connor Vest (Reds) - Fractured the C7 vertebrae in his neck in the first half. Will not play again this season and will see a specialist to assess his treatment options. Source.
Liam Wright (Reds) - Dislocated his shoulder in the act of scoring a try. Source.
Tate McDermott (Reds) - Came off the field after failing an HIA. Hasn't displayed concussion symptoms so he is still a chance of playing rd 15 if all goes well. Source.
Max Jorgensen (Waratahs) - Ruptured his MCL (knee ligament) and has a partial ACL Tear. Will consult a surgeon to determine if he needs surgery or can manage it conservatively. He will miss at least 3 months. Source.
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) - Came off with a calf tear in rd 14. Will miss at least two weeks, but is more likely to miss the rest of Super Rugby. Source.
Lachlan "Nos" Lonergan (Brumbies) - Came off after only 40 minutes. No detail on what his injury was yet. Source.
Pete Samu (Brumbies) - Came off the field with a shoulder injury but later returned. No doubt there will be some concern for his fitness this week. Source.
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Drua) - Pulled pregame.
Joe (Sosefo) ‘Apikotoa (Moana) - Limped off early in the second half.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) - Pulled pregame with a calf injury. Will miss rd 15 as well. Source.
Sam Gilbert (Highlanders) - Injured his wrist right at the end of the game. Has gone for an MRI on Monday to see how bad the damage was. We think this makes him unlikely to play rd 15 at least. Source.
Saula Ma’u (Highlanders) -Replaced in the later stages against the Reds. Has pulled up well and looks a good chance to play rd 15. Source.
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame.
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame with a foot injury. They said it isn't serious and if needed he could have played. Source.
David Havili (Crusaders) - Came off with what we think was a hamstring tear.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - Came off with what looked like a knee injury. Source.
Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders) - Limped off late, but only due to cramp. Source.
Julian Savea (Hurricanes) - Left the game early with what looks like a pec injury. Source.
Xavier Numia (Hurricanes) - Looks to have had a shoulder injury but managed to play on. To us it looked like a partial instability episode (sublux). We will wait and see if it costs him any game time.
Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes) - Came on for the bus, but left the field with an injury of his own.
Brad Weber (Chiefs) - Came off early with a concussion. Source.
Likely back for Round 15:
Izaia Perese (Waratahs) - Came off with back spasms in rd 13. Returning on the wing in rd 15. Source.
Lachie Swinton (Waratahs) - 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.
Archer Holz (Waratahs) - Back after missing rd 14 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Nic White (Brumbies) - Came off in rd 12 with what looked like a sternoclavicular joint injury. Expected to be fit for rd 15. Source.
Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies) - Currently injured but expected to be fit for rd 15. Source.
Filipo Daugunu (Reds) - Back after missing rd 14 with a foot injury. Source.
Ryan Smith (Reds) - Ruled out of rd 14 with a calf injury. Source.
Sam Slade (Moana) - Limped off the field in rd 7. Finally returning this week.
Josh Lord (Chiefs) - Came off early with a concussion in rd 12. If he passes the concussion protocols he will play. Source.
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs) - Due back from his All Blacks rest week. Source.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Due back from his All Blacks rest week. Source.
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - Due back after being rested last week. Source.
Will Jordan(Crusaders) - Due back after being rested last week. Source.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Missed rd 14 for an All Black's rest week. Source.
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) - Came off with a concussion in rd 13. All going well he would return this week.
Dalton Papali'i (Blues) - Got a red card for a high tackle in rd 12. Banned for 3 weeks but must have sat his tackle school because he has been named this week. Source.
Ruben Love (Hurricanes) -Finally back on the bench after nursing a groin issue all season. Source.
Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes) - Back after being missing since rd 9 with an injury. Source.
Daniel Sinkinson (Hurricanes) - Listed as injured as of rd 10. Source.
Dane Coles (Hurricanes) - Missing rd 10 with a concussion, was still having concussion symptoms as of rd 12. Source.
Jacob Devery (Hurricanes) - Came off with a shoulder injury in rd 13.
Returned in Round 14:
Tane Edmed (Waratahs) - Back via the bench from a stress fracture diagnosed in rd 4.
Tom Lambert (Waratahs) - Returned from a bone bruise in his knee in rd 9 via the bench.
Taleni Seu (Waratahs) - Returned from a rd 11 shoulder injury.
Carter Gordon (Rebels) - Back after missing last week with a bruised knee.
Josh Kemeny (Rebels) - Returned from his 3 weeks ban after a high shot on Len Ikitau in rd 11.
Izack Rodda (Force) - Finally returns after a year out of the game. He broke his foot last year then again in the final preseason trial against the Drua.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) - Back after tearing his MCL in his knee in rd 5.
James O'Connor (Reds) - Returned after passing his concussion testing.
Joe 'Apikotoa (Moana) - Returned from a concussion he had back in rd 7.
Mike McKee (Moana) - Back after being pulled pregame in rd 13.
Michael Curry (Moana) - Back after being pulled pregame in rd 13.
Samuela Tawake (Drua) - Back from a rd 11 injuring.
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) - Back after missing the last 3 weeks after taking a knock to his Achilles.
Quinten Strange (Crusaders) - Back after missing rd 13 with a hand injury.
Sione Havili Talitui (Crusaders) - Pulled pregame rd 3, back on the bench this week.
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs) - Back from a concussion in rd 12.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Back after having a left shoulder instability episode in rd 9.
Caleb Clarke (Blues) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Rieko Ioane (Blues) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Finlay Christie (Blues) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues) - Returned from his All Black's rest week.
Brett Cameron (Hurricanes) - Back from the bench after injuring his knee in rd 6.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Back starting after missing round 12 and 13 with an elbow injury.
Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders) - Recovered from an illness that caused him to miss the last three weeks.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
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.
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.
Bayley Kuenzle - Injured is hamstring in rd 10 and won't play rd 11. We assume this means he is a chance for rd 12. Source.
Bryce Hegarty - Came off with a knee injury after having hyperextending it in rd 10.
Jake Strachan - Listed as injured as of rd 11. 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.
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
Lalakai Foketi - Came off with an ankle injury in rd 12. Expected back for rd 15 at the earliest. Source.
NEW ZEALAND
Highlanders
Vilimoni Koroi - Currently out of round 2-14 with a knee injury. Source.
Marty Banks - Currently out of round 2-14 with a groin injury. Source.
Jeff Thwaites - Currently out of round 2-14 with a back injury. Source.
Cam Miller - Limped off the field with an ankle injury in rd 7, was meant to be out for 6 weeks, but still unfit for rd 14. Source.
Will Tucker - Pulled pregame Rd 11 with a concussion from training. Source. A chance of returning if he passes his protocols. Source.
Josh Dickson - Came off with a concussion in rd 12. Source. Was a chance of returning in rd 14 if he passed his concussion protocols. Source.
Chiefs
Ngantungane Punivai - Not considered for round 1-13 due to injury. Source.
Gideon Wrampling - Listed as injured for round 13. Source.
Kaylum Boshier - Injured shortly after coming off the bench in rd 11. Still out as of rd 13. 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.
Tyler Laubscher - Out with injury as of rd 4-11. Source.
Dom Bird - Misses rd 11 and 12 through illness. Source.
Crusaders
Willi Heinz - Injured his calf in the warm-up of rd 10. They are not sure when he will be fit again. Source.
Finlay Brewis - Pulled pregame rd 10 with a shoulder injury. Was named to play rd 11 but was again ruled out. Source.
Oli Jager - Was forced to miss the Moana match due to a cut from the week before. Surprisingly didn't play rd 14 either. Source.
Ethan Blackadder - Tore his calf in rd 5. Was Expected to return in this week. Source.
Blues
Beauden Barrett - Rested last week while also dealing with a gash on his right heel. 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.
Kitione Salawa - Came off injured in rd 11. Was rested for the rd 12 trip to Perth and then was available for training in rd 13 but wasn't selected. Source.
Moana Pasifika
Jack Lam - Missed the final trial with an ankle injury and still injured before 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.
Ray Niuia - Concussed in rd 10, no word on his progress.
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.
Jordan Petaia (Reds) - Has had surgery to repair a ligament in his wrist before rd 12 and will be out for the rest of the 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.
Zane Marolt (Waratahs) – Fractured cheek bone and will be gone for the season. Source.
Henry Robertson (Force) - Tore his ACL and gone for the season. Source.
Tom Robertson (Force) - Tore his ACL in rd 13 and won't play again this year. Will consult a specialist to assess his options. Source.
Ryan McCauley (Force) - Came off with a left pec injury in rd 12. Will miss the rest of the season. Source.
Ben O'Donnell (Brumbies) - Collapsed on his left knee when trying to step the defence in rd 10. 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.
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.
Bryn Gatland (Chiefs) - Came off injured in rd 11 with a torn bicep. He is having it operated on and will be out for 5 months. Source.
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) - Tore his ACL late in September. Probably won't be back until late June. 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.
Fabian Holland (Highlanders) - Suffered a grade 3 hamstring injury in the first half of rd 11 and will be out for the rest of the year. 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.
Joe Moody (Crusaders) - Sprained his ankle in rd 12. Went for surgery to repair a tendon and will be out for eight weeks. Source.
Alex Hodgman (Blues) - Dislocated his left shoulder and will be out for the season. Source.
Sam Darry (Blues) - Came off with a broken arm in rd 12 and won't play again this season. Source.
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Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.