The Casualty Ward 2020 Rd 2

Round 2 is done and the injuries are mounting up! Check out all the latest updates on all Super Rugby's injuries and bans right here at the Casualty Ward.

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Returning from injury (Rd 2):

Ash Dixon (Highlanders) - Didn't play in the trial against the Waratahs on the 17th of Jan due to injury, hopefully of being ready for round 2. Source.
Rob Thompson (Highlanders) - Has been injured but should be back for the final trial against the Crusaders. Source.
James Parsons (Blues) - Close to a return back from a back injury. Source.
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) - Pulled late Rd 1 with groin tightness, then after seemingly being ruled out for this week early he was a late inclusion to start at fullback.

Harry Johnson-Holmes (WAR) - Missed round 1 due to illness but recovered to start this week.

Cobus Wiese (Stormers) - Recovered from his knee injury to come off the bench.
Juarno Augustus (Stormers) - Recovered enough to come off of the bench.
Andries Coetzee (Lions) - Started having missed rd 1 due to a late return from Japan.
Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) - Made his return off the bench. We will have to wait and see if he takes the starting jersey.
Jerónimo de la Fuente (Jaguares) - Recovered from a torn calf to start at 12.

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New Injuries (Rd 2):

Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) - Looked to be injured after 46 minutes. They did sub him but he jogged off looking fine, so not sure what he has done.
Scott Scrafton (Hurricanes) - Was pulled pre-game giving Walker-Leawere the full 80 minutes. No word yet on what he has done.
Whetu Douglas (Crusaders) - Out of rd 3 with 2 broken fingers. No more info but I’d say he is gone for 2-4 weeks at a guess. Source.

Scott Sio (Brumbies) - Came off the field with a concussion.
Tom Cusack (Brumbies) - Came off the field with a concussion.
Pete Samu (Brumbies) - Came off the field with a big concussion.
Matt Toomua (Rebels) - Came off the field with a concussion but recovered for this week.
Reece Hodge (Rebels) - Came off the field with a concussion but recovered for this week.
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs) - Landed awkwardly on his neck scoring a try, recovered to take his spot on the bench this week.

Jaco Coetzee (Stormers) - Dobson said he might have a concussion in the press conference so he might have to go through the return to play protocols which would put him in doubt for rd 3.

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Likely back for this week (Rd 3):

Otere Black (Blues) - Was expected to get a run last week after recovering from a rib injury. Not sure if he just wasn't selected or hadn't recovered. Source.
Tony Lamborn (Blues) - Missed rd 2 with an infected cut so should be back this week. Source.
Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders) - Missed rd 2 with niggly knee and groin injuries. Source.
Tei Walden (Highlanders) - Rumoured to be back fita gain this week from a rib injury. They need him! Source.
Kini Naholo (Chiefs) - Returned from injury for the Chiefs 2nd side last week. A chance to play this week against the Sunwolves. Source.

Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Concussion has ruled him out for the first 2 weeks. Was expected to be right last week. Source.
Mack Mason (Waratahs) - Groin strain from the final trial. Was a decent chance to play last week so should be in the mix now. Source.
Harry Hockings (Reds) - Broke his hand on Tuesday 14th Jan but in the RSA tour squad so we assume he will play this game. Source.
Luke Jones (Rebels) - Sidelined with a back injury for rd 2, no confirmation but we assume it is only a minor thing. Source.
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Was ruled out of rd 2 with a shoulder "niggle" so could return this week. Source.

Sbu Nkosi (Sharks) - Had a minor niggle rule him out of rd 2 so we assume he is right for this week. Source.
Ross Cronje (Lions) -Returned to full training from his bad ankle injury before rd 2 and was apparently close to playing last weekend. Source.
Johannes Jonker (Lions) - Expected to return last week but not sure if he is in the frame for s spot in the 23. Source.
JD Schickerling (Stormers) - Originally 50/50 for rd 1, will now return for rd 3. Source.
Juan Cruz Mallia (Jaguares) - Suffered a concussion in rd 1 and will go through the return to play protocols so could be back on the bench this week. Source.
Bautista Delguy (Jaguares) - Has an adductor (groin) muscle overload so was rested for rd 2. I'd say then that he is a chance to play rd 3 but there is no confirmation. Source.

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Ongoing Injury List:

NEW ZEALAND
Highlanders
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Had off season shoulder surgery and is out until April. Source.
Connor Garden-Bachop - Had an operation on his back and will miss 5-6 months meaning he won't be back until June at the earliest. Source.
Manaaki Selby-Rickit - Serving a 4 game suspension after being found guilty of assualt. Will miss the 2 preseason games and the Highlanders first 2 games. Source.
Jeff Thwaites - Should be back around round 4 or 5 from an ankle injury. Source.
Ngane Punivai - Will return in round 4 or 5 from a knee injury. Source.
Scott Gregory - Not injured, but is due to leave for the NZ 7s around March.

Chiefs
Luke Jacobson - After a meteoric rise last year he missed the 2019 RWC with lingering concussion symptoms. He is due to be back in round 3. Source.
Etene Nanai-Seturo - Currently with the NZ 7's, we believe he is unlikely to play much Super Rugby.
Nepo Laulala - His rd 1 MCL tear will rule him out for 6 weeks. Source.
Angus Ta'avou - We originaly heard he suffered a concussion before half time and did not return. But morerecently we also heard it could be a knee injury. Source.

Hurricanes
Ardie Savea - Will miss 5-6 months due to having to undergo knee surgery after hurting himself during the World Cup Semi Final. Announced December 1st, meaning he would likely only be back for the finals. Source.
Salesi Rayasi - Currently with the NZ 7's, we believe he is unlikely to play much Super Rugby.
Dane Coles - Hasn’t travelled with the squad to South Africa, they hope he’ll play in the round three clash against the Sharks. Source.
James Marshall - Not named to travel to South Africa. Not sure why. Source.
Jonah Lowe - Injured his shoulder in the Crusaders trial, the same one from 2019. No info about an expected return date. Source.
Kane Le'aupepe - Has had hip surgery in mid december to repair a torn labrum and remove a CAM impingement. He will be out for 5-6 months. It is worth noting that these injuries vary massively with return to sport time, it could really be 4-9 months! Source.

Crusaders
Sam Whitelock - Apparently he could be back from his sabbatical around May.
Billy Harmon - Picked up a medial ligament strain last week against the Hurricanes and is expected to be sidelined for four-six weeks, putting a return between rd 4-6. Source.
Quinten Strange - Broke a bone in his right hand in the trial against the Highlanders. Expected to be sidelined for up to five weeks (rd 5). Source.
Ethan Blackadder - Shoulder dislocation at the end of the Mitre 10 cup. Shoulder surgery means he won't return before May at the earliest. Source.

Blues
Beauden Barrett - The star flyhalf/ fullback is on leave until mid April. Source.
Caleb Clarke - Currently with the NZ 7's, we believe he is unlikely to play much Super Rugby.
Tanielu Tele'a - Dealing with a shoulder injury likely to keep them out of rd 1. No more detail at the moment. Source.
James Tucker - Waiting on scan results for his knee. Source.
Finlay Christie - Close to a return from a neck injury for rd 2. Source.
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti - Shoulder. Source.
Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Unavailable rd 1. Source.
Jared Page - Unavailable rd 1. Source.
Rieko Ioane - Fractured his hand rd 1 and will not miss "several weeks", most likely 4-6. Source.
Alex Hodgman - Tore his calf in rd 1, not sure how severe it was but it would be between 2 and 6 weeks. Source.

AUSTRALIA

Brumbies
Nil

Reds
Harry Hoopert - Struggling with a back injury and missed rd 1.
Feao Fotuaika - Still rehabbing his ankle from an off season injury. To our knowledge he should be right for the start of the season, but it is not confirmed.
Scott Malolou - Tore his ACL and had it reconstructed in September. An early return around 9 months would have him only back in June.
Fraser McReight - Had offseason hip surgery but has apparently recovered. Then dislocated his thumb on Tuesday the 14th and is in doubt for the first 3 rounds of Super Rugby. Source.
Filipo Daugunu - Red carded for a tip tackle late in the Reds trial on the 17th of January. Copped a 5 match ban so will miss the first 4 games of the season! Source.
Michael Wood - It sounds like he has cut something significant in his foot in the preason and won't be back until late March/ April.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Sprained his ankle rd 1 and will now consult a surgeon meaning it is likely a high grade injury. Confirmed to miss the 2 week RSA tour but will likely be 6 weeks or more. Source.

Rebels
James Tuttle - Ruptured his Achilles twice! First in October 2018, and again five months into his rehab. He is now aiming to return for round 1 but thinks he will likely be back a few weeks later. Source.
Jordan Uelese - A hamstring tear should rule him out of the first 4 rounds. Source.

Waratahs
Nil

SOUTH AFRICA
Sharks
Nil

Stormers
Ramone Samuels - Suffered a bad leg break in 2019. Coach Dobson says his injury is potentially career threatening because his nerve will not regenerate in his ankle. Source.
Daniël du Plessis - Will miss the first few weeks of Super Rugby. Also missed the Currie Cup. Not sure what his injury is. Source.
Siya Kolisi - Rd 1 grade 3 MCL (inside of the knee) tear. His specialist said he will miss a minimum of 6-8 weeks, it could be much worse if it doesn't heal well. Source.

Bulls
Ruan Steenkamp - Picked up a concussion in September and hasn't played since. Only started contact again at the start of 2020. The Bulls will be very cautious with bringing him back to play. Source.
Muller Uys - Clashed heads with Kotze and left the field. Was expected to fully recover for rd 1, started light training the Monday after that. Source.
Marco van Staden - Out of action for up to six weeks after sustaining a concussion in a preseason warm-up match with UP-Tuks earlier this month. Started light training after rd 1. Source.
Tim Agaba - Withdrew from round 1 with a neck strain, now also on light duties after that game. Source.
Dylan Sage - Fractured his ankle and will be on the sideline for 3 months following surgery. Meaning he will be aiming for roughly a 5th of May return. Source.
Simiphiwe Matanzima - Has a shoulder injury rd 1 and will be out of action for 4-6 weeks. Given the time frame i'd suggest he has had an instability episode. Source.

Lions
Malcolm Marx - In the middle of a sabbatical in Japan. Due to return to Super Rugby in June. Source.
Gianni Lombard - Tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus trying step someone in round 10 (April). Will be back by the end of March or early April after taking it slow with his rehab.
Willem Alberts - If he finalises his contract with the Lions then he might still miss the start of the season as he recovers from a bicep (arm) injury.
Rhyno Herbst - Got injured in pre season, will be out for some time. No more details yet. Source.
Reinhard Nothnagel - Has a minor concussion, missed Super hero Sunday. Source.
Darrien Landsberg - Suffering with concussion, no more details but you'd think the two weeks until round 1 should have him as a relatively safe bet to play. Source.
Francke Horn - Grade 2 ankle sprain from Super Hero Sunday. This will keep him out for about 6 weeks on average. Meaning roughly a round 4-5 return. Source.
Jaco Kriel - Won’t feature in Lions the team before March or April, as he is currently recovering from an ankle injury. Source.
Andre Warner - Picked up an ankle injury rd 1, went for a scan on the monday to judge the severity but no more detail yet. Source.

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ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Jaguares
Matias Alemanno - Will miss the first 3 weeks of the competition with a pec tear. Source.
Joaquin Diaz Bonilla - Has an oblique (abdominal) muscle strain from rd 1, expected out for 2-3 weeks so we could see him rd 4 or 5. Source.

Sunwolves
Nil

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Gone for the season:

Baden Wardlaw (Blues) - Forced to retire before the season due to a chronic neck fusion. Source.
Ray Niuia (Blues) - Has a knee injury that will cost him his season. Source.
Ricky Jackson (Highlanders) - The hooker will miss the entire SR campaign with an ankle injury and operation. Nathan Vella brought in to replace him. Source.
Nathan Harris (Chiefs) - Announced on the 15th of January that he has had a shoulder operation to repair his rotator cuff. Out for at least six months and all of Super Rugby. Source.

Les Leulua'iali'i-Makin (Brumbies) - ruled out of Super Rugby season after rupturing his Achilles on the 25th of January. Source.

Werner Kok (Sharks) - Won't join the Sharks until August 2020. Source.
Warren Whiteley (Lions) - Has been ruled out of Super Rugby 2020 due to an ongoing knee injury. He is apparently still on a lot of pain. This sounds a lot like an arthritic or chronically swollen knee. Source.
Cyle Brink (Lions) - Ruptured Achilles tendon, will be gone for around 6 months. Done for the season. Source.
Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers) - Ruptured his hamstring in rd 1 and had surgery after rd 2. Gone for the season. Source.
Matías Orlando (Jaguares) - Had shoulder surgery before rd 2 and will be out for roughly 5 months (so we assume it was a shoulder reconstruction). Should be done for the year. Source.

Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.