The Casualty Ward

Round Three

Returned from Injury into Round 3:

Sam Cane (Chiefs) – Cane returned to co-captain the chiefs in a forward dominated game due to the extreme wet weather conditions. Cane picked up where he left off and got stuck back in, demonstrating a high work rate and leading from the front. He looked good back on the paddock.

Digby Ioane (Crusaders) – Digby returned to Suncorp but in the away dressing room for the first time. He had a great game managing to find the gaps in a pretty solid Reds defense with his sharp lines and hard running. Great to see him back and certainly one to watch.

George Moala (Blues) – Moala wasn’t injured, rather had just been restrained to the bench with Piers Francis the preferred starting 12 for the first two games of the season. Moala had a ripper of a game excelling with his straight, hard running and big defense.

James Parsons (Blues) – Parsons looked a little rusty with a few uncharacteristic line out mishaps but he should settle back in soon and lead through his consistency and work rate.

Luke Whitelock (Highlanders)

Nick Phipps (Waratahs)

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New Injuries Round 3:

Patrick Lambie (Sharks) – Fractured vertebrae in his lower back. Estimated at 6-8 weeks

Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) – Fractured foot. Out for at least 6 weeks, could be longer depending on what he has fractured, but this information is not available anywhere.

Waisake Naholo (Highlanders)  – Hamstring (Looking to be 4-6 weeks)

Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders) – Hamstring (Looking to be 4-6 weeks)

Israel Dagg (Crusaders) – Knee Injury - Patella tendon?  MRI today but likely out for 4-6 weeks

Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) – Dislocated shoulder (minimum 4-6 weeks out)

James Lowe (Chiefs) - Back pain, no return date listed but shouldn't be long.

Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)  – Initially feared he had a hamstring tear but after sitting out a day of training, Seta was moving well and could be back as early as next week.

Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) – Illness, Back Rd 4

Matt Todd (Crusaders) – Strained his calf in training last week- back training now and in contention for this week.

Dan Kriel (Stormers) – suffered a suffered a lateral knee sprain, rested for Rd 3, could be back Rd 4

Jean-Luc Du Plessis (Stormers) – Minor groin strain could be back for Rd 4 this week.

Ox Nche (Cheetahs) – MCL round 2, likely back Rd 6-8

Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs) – MCL round 2, likely back Rd 6-8

Nico Lee (Cheetahs) – Shoulder Injury

Loni Uhila (Hurricanes) – Injured 17th minute, waiting on an update

Michael Leitch (Chiefs) – 1 week ban for a high tackle

Charlie Faumuina (Blues) – Back Injury before kick off. No news yet as to how bad it is.

Clement Poitrenaud (Sharks) - limped off against the Waratahs, in doubt for Rd 4

Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs) - Possible concussion, sounds like he is just being rested to make sure he is right for Rd 5.

Quade Cooper (Reds)-  MCL injury, played on with tape, flew to South Africa so should play regardless.

Pete Samu (Crusaders) – MCL injury, time out unknown but it doesn't look too severe. Likely back in 1-2 weeks.

Nicolás Sánchez (Jaguares) – Banned for 1 week for dangerous play

Philip Van Der Walt (Sharks) – fractured cheekbone. Out round 4, further tests needed

Luzuko Vulindlu (Kings) – Concussion, out for at least 1 week.

Likely Back this week:

Adriaan Strauss (Bulls) – Named on the bench for Rd 4

Jannes Kirsten (Bulls) –Named on the bench for Rd 4

Jan Serfontein (Bulls) – Named to start Rd 4

Arno Botha (Bulls) – Should return round 4 after the bye.

Lodewyk De Ager (Bulls) – Concussion. Due to return in round 4

Louis Schreuder (Kings) – Concussion. Back training and should be right for round 4.

Mzwanele Zito (Kings) – Concussion. Back training and should be right for round 4.

Manuel Montero (Jaguares) – Available for selection

Jed Holloway (Waratahs) – Didn’t take off on tour to South Africa. Should return round 4

Ongoing Injury List:

Sonny Bill Williams (Blues) – Ruptured Achilles. Looking to return in round 6 the earliest.

Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes) – Ligament Damage lower leg. Set to return round 4 or 5.

Blade Thomson (Hurricanes) – Dislocated shoulder round 1. May require surgery. No eta.

Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) – Concussion – out for unknown time.

Cory Jane (Hurricanes) – Neck – expected back rd 3-5

Ash Dixon (Highlanders) – Back Injury. Unclear when he will return.

Ben Smith (Highlanders) – Concussion sustained round 1. Unclear on return date.

Nathan Harris (Chiefs) – Return in April from ACL reconstruction

Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs) – ongoing concussion symptoms. No eta on his return.

Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) – Broken Hand round 1. Out for at least 8 weeks.

Kieran Read (Crusaders) – Wrist op, back early April

Bernard Foley (Waratahs) – Concussion. May return round 4 although still hasn't done any contact work.

Jed Holloway (Waratahs) – Didn’t take off on tour to South Africa. Should return round 4

Sean McMahon (Rebels) – Off season ankle operation. Should return round 4.

Sefa Naivalu (Rebels) – Returning from a knee infection. Will return round 4 after the bye.

Toby Smith (Rebels) – Hamstring Rd 12-13

Scott Sio (Brumbies) – Hamstring Injury. Should return round r 4.

Jarrad Butler (Brumbies) – Leg injury, was expected back in Rd 4

Ben McCalman (Force) – Dislocated Thumb. Should return round 4.

Matt Hodgson (Force) – Due back from his hamstring tear in rd 4.

Keegan Daniel (Sharks) – Fractured Hand (12 weeks). Appears to be recovering fast.

Juan De Jongh (Stormers) – MCL back rd 8-10

Damian De Allende (Stormers) – Injured round 1, out for 3 months (syndesmosis)

Francois Venter (Cheetahs) – Ankle - Should return soon but not on tour, likely Rd 5

Ruan Combrinck (Lions) – Shoulder operation in the off season. Return round 6-8

CJ Velleman (Kings) – Knee, looking to return early April.

Rudi Van Rooyen (Kings) – Ankle Surgery. Out for 12 weeks.

Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs) – MCL in Rd 1, back Rd 5-7

Ramiro Herrera (Jaguares) – Calf Tear end of preseason. Return in round 4 expected

Thomas Lavanini (Jaguares) – ACL reconstruction – expected back 9 months post op (June), although their medical team is targeting March (Don’t believe them!)

Manuel Leguizamón (Jaguares) – Knee Ligament Damage. Hoping for a return in round 4 or 5.

Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares) – Torn sartorius muscle. Expected return round 4.

Emiliano Bofelli (Jaguares) – Should be set to return soon but unlikely in round 4.

Harumichi Tatekawa (Sunwolves) – Knock on the knee. Expected return after the tour.

Out for the Season:

Martin Landajo (Jaguares) – Broken Fibula

Tomas Cubelli (Brumbies) – ACL

Brad Weber (Chiefs) – Broken Leg out for 6 months

Mitchell Graham (Chiefs) – Broken Leg

Leolin Zas (Stormers) – Broken Leg

Lausii Tauilali (Brumbies) – ACL

Christian Lealifano (Brumbies) – Leukemia

Howard Minsi (Lions) – ACL

James Broadhurst  (Hurricanes) – Concussion ongoing