Casualty Ward Super Rugby Pacific Rounds 8-9
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.
If you like what you read please like, share and review us everywhere people talk about rugby, and check out our Draft Rugby podcast or show released each week. Tune in, rate, review and share us. You’ll find us across all platforms on the links below:
New Injuries Round 8:
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 rd 16. Brett McKay says he can go to tackle school to return one week earlier. Source.
Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Came off with a concussion.
Dave Porecki (Waratahs) - Came off with a concussion.
Michael Hooper (Waratahs) - Will be rested for rd 9 under Wallabies resting protocols. Source.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) - Will be rested for rd 9 under Wallabies resting protocols. Source.
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs) - Will be rested for rd 9 under Wallabies resting protocols. Source.
Len Ikitau (Brumbies) - Came off with a concussion.
Blake Schoupp (Brumbies) - Came off with a concussion.
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Came off with a concussion.
Pete Samu (Brumbies) - Came off with an ankle injury that ruled him out of this week's Wallabies camp.
Gareth Simpson (Force) - Tore his quad on Thursday. Likely out for 1-2 weeks.
Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Force) - Ruled out with a tight groin. Source.
Zack Kibirige (Force) - Ruled out of rd 9 with hamstring soreness. Source.
Isi Naisarani (Force) - Has just signed with the Force and is apparently training with the squad. However he is also apparently recovering from a knee injury. Source.
Isaac Henry (Reds) - Has a hamstring injury that ruled him out of rd 8. Source.
Liam Wright (Reds) - Missed rd 8 with a hand injury. Source.
Seru Uru (Reds) - Missed rd 8 with an injury. Source.
Aaron Smith (Highlanders) - Will miss round 9 after his father passed last week. Source.
Cam Miller (Highlanders) - Limped off the field with an ankle injury in rd 7, will be out for 6 weeks. Source.
Folau Fakatava (Highlanders) - Will miss rd 9 through illness. Source.
Josh Dickson (Highlanders) - Has been left at home for rd 9 due to personal reasons which we can only assume is due to the ongoing concerns for his brothers health. Source.
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) - Missed rd 9 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Bailyn Sullivan (Hurricanes) - Missed rd 9 with an injury. Source.
Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Suffered a concussion and won't play round 9. Source.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) - Suffered a concussion and won't play round 9. Source.
Brad Weber (Chiefs) - Having a rest in week 9. Source.
Likely back for Round 9:
Charlie Gamble (Waratahs) - Partial dislocated his shoulder in rd 4. Back via the bench this week.
Mosese Tuipulotu (Waratahs) - Suffered a low grade MCL tear in rd 4. Back on the bench this week.
Alex Mafi (Rebels) - Dislocated his finger which also broke the skin in rd 7. Expected to be fit for round 9. Source.
Trevor Hosea (Rebels) - Came off with a severe cork in rd 7. Thankfully he is expected to play round 9 after the bye. Source.
Jordan Uelese (Rebels) - Came off with a severe cork in rd 7. Expected to play round 9 after the bye. Source.
Pone Fa’amausili (Rebels) - Was assisted from the field late in rd 7 due to cramping. Riding the bench this week.
Toni Pulu (Force) - Pulled out late pregame in rd 6 with a knee concern. Back starting this week.
Bryce Hegarty (Force)- Missing since rd 5 with back pain, will lineup at flyhalf this week.
Michael Wells (Force) - Has been ruled out since rd 6 with an overload Achilles injury, but makes his comeback this week.
Josh Lord (Chiefs) - Tore his ACL on the 14th of June. Played for the development side in rd 6. Back on the bench this week. Source.
Gideon Wrampling (Chiefs) - Back from a knee injury via the bench.
Mitch Hunt (Highlanders) - Expected to be back this week from an abdominal strain. Source.
Freddie Burns (Highlanders) - Suffered a knee injury in rd 3. Should be back this week. Source. Source.
Josh Timu (Highlanders) - Pulled late before rd 5 with a concussion. Looking likely to go on the 2 game tour starting this week. Source.
Fabian Holland (Highlanders) - Looking likely to go on the 2 game tour starting this week after recovering from a hamstring injury. Source.
Connor Garden-Bachop (Highlanders) - Injured his calf in training and was ruled out of rd 6. He has recovered to play this week.
Will Tucker (Highlanders) - Recovered from an injury to play this week.
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) - Came off with a concussion in rd 7. Return this week via the bench.
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) - Suffered a broken hand in rd 4, back starting this week. Source.
Scott Barrett (Crusaders) - Returning from his fractured hand back on March 18th against the Blues. Source.
Cullen Grace (Crusaders) - Broke his collarbone in rd 1. Back on the bench this week. Source.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) - Should be back from his All Black's rest week before the bye.
Stephen Perofeta (Blues) - Should be back from his All Black's rest week before the bye.
Akira Ioane (Blues)- Injured his knee in rd 1. Back via the bench this week.
Bryce Heem (Blues) - Came off with a groin injury in rd 5. back via the bench this week.
Returned in Round 8:
Tom Lynagh (Reds) - Back on the bench after missing the last few weeks with a concussion.
Sam Spink (Force) - Came back from a rd 6 concussion.
Hamish Stewart (Force) - Injured his shoulder in rd 6. We originally thought it was quite serious but he recovered quickly to start last week.
Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs) - Recovered from his knee injury to take a place on the bench.
Lachie Swinton (Waratahs) - Recovered from a neck injury that made him miss round 6.
Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Recovered from a shot to the baby makers that took him off early in rd 6.
Devan Flanders (Hurricanes) - Returned from a sort term ankle injury. Source.
Ongoing Injury List:
AUSTRALIA
Western Force
Izack Rodda - Broke his foot again in the final trial against the Drua. His return time hasn't been set yet but it wouldn't surprise us if he misses at least the first six weeks. 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.
Brumbies
Tom Hooper - Suffered a potentially serious foot injury on the Feb 11 trial. Source. Was seen in a cast and not weight-bearing at the final trial so we think he will be out for at least 3 months.
Corey Toole - Came off with a big concussion in rd 7. We think he should be back after the rd 9 bye.
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. Expected to take 4-5 weeks until he returns. Source.
Angus Blyth - Was given a red card for taking Corey Toole's head off. Banned for 3 weeks. We think this means he will play rd 11 given the rd 9 bye. Source.
Rebels
Matt Philip - Ruptured his ACL at training on October 19th meaning he will miss almost the entire season. Source.
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.
Richard Hardwick - Suffered a calf injury in rd 4. It is expected to keep him out for 8 weeks. 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
Tiaan Tauakipulu – Still on the comeback trail from his knee injury. Now aiming to play round 10. 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.
Langi Gleeson - Suffered a calf injury in rd 4. Now aiming to play rd 10. Source.
Archer Holz - Has been battling a rib injury, playing club rugby in rd 9 so we expect him fit for rd 10. Source.
Hugh Sinclair - Fractured his right shoulder blade in rd 3 and will miss up to 8 weeks. Aiming to play round 10 or later. Source.
Nemani Nadolo - Suffered a new knee injury. Not expected to play until at least rd 13. 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
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.
Jona Nareki - Has a bone stress injury in his foot before rd 1. His return has been delayed, and he is now targeting a rd 11 return. Source.
Martin Bogado - Tore his quad scoring in round 6. Touch and go to play rd 9. Source.
Rhys Marshall - Came off with a concussion in rd 4. Hasn't been seen since. 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.
Anton Lienert-Brown - Rolled his ankle in Rd 1. Originally meant to be back after 3 weeks, they have delayed his return a further month. Will start running around rd 8, so we think he will play either rd 9-10. Source.
Josh Ioane - Pulled from the bench before rd 4 for a family bereavement. Hasn't been seen since. Source.
Lalomilo Lalomilo - Brought in as an injury replacement for Quinn Tupaea, he has not featured yet due to his own injury. Source.
Alex Nankivell - Concussed in rd 5, yet to return for rd 9. 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.
Justin Sangster - Dislocating his thumb in the final trial against the Crusaders. 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.
Jacob Devery - Out with injury as of rd 4. Source.
Caleb Delany - Out with injury as of rd 4. 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.
Ruben Love - Still nursing an ongoing groin issue. Source.
Crusaders
Oli Jager - Sustained a neck injury late in the NPC in 2022 which required surgery. As of the start of Feb he is back in the gym but won't start contact or scrummaging until cleared by the specialist. Source. Expected back shortly after the rd 8 bye. Source.
Ethan Blackadder - Tore his calf in rd 5. Expected to miss 6 weeks. Source.
Kershawl Sykes-Martin - Pulled pregame with a neck injury in rd 5. Source.
Will Jordan - 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.
Zach Gallagher - Pulled pre-game rd 5 with a hamstring injury. Aiming to return in rd 9. Source.
Leicester Fainga'anuku - Pulled out of rd 7 with a tight calf. Been given an extra week to recover in rd 9. Source.
Blues
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Injured his hand in rd 4. Expected back in rd 10 against the Drua. Source.
AJ Lam - Pulled pregame rd 6. No details as to why yet.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens - Unavailable for rd 7 due to a knee injury. 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.
Frank Lomani - Pulled pregame rd 6 due to knee bruising on Thursday. Was expected to play rd 8, so we don't know why he still hasn't returned. Source.
Meli Derenalagi - Left the field shortly after halftime in rd 7 with what looked like a hamstring or calf muscle tear. Apparently it was only cramp, Mick Byrne mentioned he might need a rest so we would expect him to play soon. Source.
Moana Pasifika
Jonathan Taumateine - Missed the final trial with a Hamstring injury and still out as of rd 6. Source.
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. Expected back sometime in March. Was originally targeting a rd 3 return but was still listed as out before rd 6. Source.
Alex McRobbie - Out of rd 6 with a shoulder injury. Source.
Lotu Inisi - Suffered a knee laceration in rd 5 which had still listed as unavailable in rd 7. Source.
Christian Leali'ifano - Missed round 6 and 7 with a neck injury. 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.
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.