The Casualty Ward 2020 Rd 1

Super Rugby is back! Round 1 is already done and dusted, 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 1):

Vince Aso (Hurricanes) – Returned from his pec injury via the bench.
James Blackwell (Hurricanes) - Was wearing a moonboot at fulltime of the trial against the Blues due to an reoccuring injury to his big toe. started round 1.

Garth April (Sunwolves) - Missed 2019 with a shoulder injury, this week he starred for the Sunwolves.
Henry Speight (Reds) - Scored for the Reds after recovering from a knee arthroscopy.
Izack Rodda (Reds) - Came off the bench after recovering from ankle surgery, will start next week.
JP Smith (Reds) - Had a minor surgery to clean up his knee in the off season but started rd 1.
Angus Cottrell (Rebels) - Suffered a concussion in the last trial but was cleared to play.

Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares) - Injured his calf during the RWC and was originally expected to miss the start of the season but he played their last trial and started rd 1.
Tyler Paul (Sharks) - Missed all of the Currie Cup recovering from an unknown long term injury in Super Rugby. Played in rd 1.
Hacjivah Dayimani (Lions) - Came back from the Blitzboks with a minor niggle, returned for the last trial but only came back via the bench in rd 1.
Carlu Sadie (Lions) - Was Suffer with concussion whch might explain why he came off the bench. Source.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers) - Missed Super Hero Sunday preseason clash because of a shoulder injury but started rd 1.
Trevor Nyakane (Bulls) - A torn calf kept him out of Superhero Sunday. Returned to training before the final trial and came off the bench this week.
Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) - Injured through preseason but recovered to start rd 1.
Warrick Gelant (Bulls) - Sustanied a concussion on Super Hero Sunday but recovered to play in rd 1.

New Injuries (Rd 1):

Nepo Laulala (Chiefs) - Injured his left knee five minutes in, has had an MRI but we don't have the results yet. Won't play this week. Source.
Angus Ta'avou (Chiefs) - Suffered a concussion before half time and did not return. Is very unlikely to play this week. Source.
Ray Niuia (Blues) - Has a knee injury that will cost him his season. Source.
Rieko Ioane (Blues) - Fractured his hand and will not miss "several weeks", most likely 4-6. Source.
Alex Hodgman (Blues) - Tore his calf in the game, not sure how severe it was but it would be between 2 and 6 weeks. Source.
Tony Lamborn (Blues) - Has an infected cut on his head so he may miss rd 2. Source.
Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders) - Apparently his groin tightness could cost him rd 2 as there are whispers he won't play. Source.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds) - Sprained his ankle 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.
Luke Jones (Rebels) - Sidelined with a back injury and won't play this week. Source.
Darcy Swain (Brumbies) - Has been ruled out of rd 2 with a shoulder "niggle". No more news yet. Source.

Siya Kolisi (Stormers) - Has a 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.
Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers) - He has a 2.5cm hamstring tear, they are expecting him out for 2-6 weeks. They don't tell us where abouts the tear is for us to guess with any more detail but 2 weeks seems unlikely. Source.
Dylan Sage (Bulls) - 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 (Bulls) - Has a shoulder injury and will be out of action for 4-6 weeks. Given the time frame i'd suggest he has had an instability episode. Source.
Andre Warner (Lions) - Picked up an ankle injury, going for scans to judge the severity. Source.
Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (Jaguares) - We have heard he has an abdominal strain, and that he just got a hit to the pelvis. Expected to be back in 2 weeks for rd 3. Source.
Domingo Miotti (Jaguares) - Low grade sprain of the LCL (ligament on the outside of the knee), will apparently play this week, but can often be a 1-2 week injury. Source.
Bautista Delguy (Jaguares) - Seen having his leg (I think ankle) assessed on full time on the sidelines. In doubt for this week at this stage. Source.
Juan Cruz Mallia (Jaguares) - Suffered a concussion in the second half and will go through the return to play protocols. Source.
Matías Orlando (Jaguares) - Didn't train at the start of the week while he had scans investigating a shoulder injury. Not sure if he will miss game time. Source.

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Likely back for this week (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.
Otere Black (Blues) - Likely to return from the rib injury that cost him rd 1. Source.
James Parsons (Blues) - Close toa return back from a back injury. Source.

Harry Johsnon-Holmes (WAR) - Missed round 1 due to illness. Source.
Ned Hanigan (Waratahs) - Ruled out with concussion through to rd 1 but expected to be fit for selection rd 2. Source.
Mack Mason (Waratahs) - Limped off the field with a groin strain in the second half of their final trial. A decent chance for rd 2. Source.
Harry Hockings (Reds) - Broke his hand on Tuesday 14th Jan now in the squad for South Africa. Source.

Cobus Wiese (Stormers) - Recovered from his knee injury and will play this week. Source.
Juarno Augustus (Stormers) - Recovered to play this week but he will come off the bench. Source.
Johannes Jonker (Lions) - Expected to return to action by the second week of the competition. Source.
Andries Coetzee (Lions) - Missed round 1 because he was just back from Japan. Should slide back into the squad this week (we expect).
Jaco Kriel (Lions) - Back officially signed for the Lions, might be too early to throw him straight back in, but you never know with a player of his calibre. Source.
Ross Cronje (Lions) -Returned to full training from his bad ankle injury, a decision on his availability will be made later this week. Source.
Sbu Nkosi (Sharks) - Has a minor niggle and will miss rd 2. 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 early in the season 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.
Kini Naholo - Injured. Not sure what he has done. Source.
Damian McKenzie - Pulled late last week with groin tightness. Reports are now calling it a tear and he won't "be risked" again in rd 2. 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 an 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.

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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.

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.
JD Schickerling - Originally 50/50 for rd 1, will now return for rd 3. 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.

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.

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ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Jaguares
Matias Alemanno - Will miss the first 3 weeks of the competition with a pec tear. Source.
Jerónimo de la Fuente (Jaguares) - Tore his left Soleus muscle (calf) at training on the 14th of Jan. Was expected round 2 but looks like it might be rd 3 now. Source. Update.

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.
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.

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

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.