The Casualty Ward Rd 18

As we edge closer to finals the injuries just keep on piling up. Take a look at this weeks latest updates below.

Episode 18 of The @FantasyXVDraft podcast will be posted by Tuesday morning AEST. We will cover what happened in all those games you missed, and who will carry you to victory in your respective fantasy finals! You'll find us across all platforms on the links below: Soundcloud: Itunes: Stitcher:

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Returned from injuries in Rd 18:

Augustine Pulu (Blues) - Started this week after finally overcoming his recent episode of back pain. Looked sharp and urgent but didn't offer enough to trouble the Hurricanes. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) - Came off the bench for Read in his comeback from a calf tear. Got just over half an hour but didn't make a huge impact. Owen Franks (Crusaders) - Made his comeback after the international break having served out his ban in Rd's 15 and 16. Did his part in a dominant Crusaders pack. Kieran Read (Crusaders) – Made his come back from 2017 back surgery straight into the straight lineup and lasted a little over half the game. Showed some good hands and composure but no massive physical impact on the game. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes) - Came back from his concussion in the second international. Looked his normal untouchable self and scored a good try. Brad Shields (Hurricanes) - Rested last week after being sick he picked up straight where he left over, bossing the rucks all game. Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes) - Came back after missing the third AB's test with concussion. A pretty quiet game but his standards. Liam Squire (Highlanders) - Made his comeback from an AC joint injury in the second international. Had a few good moments but didn't seem to gel well with the other loosies. Nathan Harris (Highlanders) - Missed Rd 17 on paternity leave, scored a try and lasted 40 minutes before coming off with a minor injury.

Marika Koroibete (Rebels) - Hurt his back in the warm up last week. Didn't really see much ball this week. Cam Clark (Waratahs) - Concussed last week but looked fine this time around. Had a few good runs but failed to capitalise on the Sunwolves cards like the other outside backs. Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) -  Back from his Grade 1 Syndesmosis (ankle) injury. Looked good in patches but wasn't as dominant at scrum time as you'd have expected against Tu'inukuafe. Lachlan McCaffrey (Brumbies) - Came on early for Cusack after overcoming his own back injury. Israel Folau (Waratahs) - Back from his 1 week ban with a bang. Looked confident in the air and dominated the Sunwolves for a half of rugby. Izack Rodda (Reds) - Injured his shoulder and didn't play Rd 17. Played his part in physically dominating the Rebels. Tetera Faulkner (Rebels) - Came back against the wrong team. Got absolutely belted by Taniela Tupou until he was eventually carded and then subbed. Richard Hardwick (Rebels) - Originally rumoured to be out for the season with an MCL (ligament inside of the knee) injury. He came off the bench this week.

Sbu Nkosi (Sharks) - Started after being a late scratching this week but didn't play well. JD Schickerling (Stormer) – Came off the bench from his torn pectoral muscle against the Crusaders early in the season. Great to see his hard work pay off. Scarra Ntubeni (Stormers) - Didn't actually get a run but he was available to be selected, he has just fallen to 3rd in line at the club. Kobus van Wyk (Sharks) - Scored a try on his comeback game for the Sharks. Marcos Kremer (Jaguares) - Pulled before kick off last week with a pelvic bone issue. got good minutes off the bench Julián Montoya (Jaguares) - Pulled late last week. Came off the bench this week.

[getty src="993238606" width="396" height="594" tld="com.au"] Israel Folau was comfortable competing for the high ball despite his recent ban. Credit to Getty images.

New Injuries Round 18:

Joe Moody (Crusaders) - Knee injury 5 minutes into the game. Luckily the could bring on #Crockzilla for his 200th game! Siate Tokolahi (Highlanders) - Reinjured his knee in the lead up to Rd 18. Gone for the rest of the season. Source here. Richard Buckman (Highlanders) - Pulled off at half time with a hamstring injury. Won't play Rd 19. Sam Cane (Chiefs) - Came off with concussion although it was more of a precaution considering he passed his HIA. Colin Cooper says he is unlikely to play Rd 19. Source here. Nathan Harris (Chiefs) - Didn't come back on after half time because of a quad cork. Not named to play in Rd 19. Source here. Sean Wainuii (Chiefs) - Came off with a right shoulder injury, won't play Rd 19. Source here. Matiaha Martin (Blues) - Injured just before half time. No further detail at the moment. James Parsons (Blues) - Again pulled pregame. We assume he is continually showing signs of concussion getting close to game day so don't expect to see him next week. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) - Came off with either a hamstring injury or cork. Named to start Rd 19 regardless.

George Smith (Reds) - Pulled pregame with a knee injury. Will now miss the final game of the season as well. Aidan Toua (Reds) - Pulled pregame with a pec injury. Jermaine Ainsley (Rebels) - Tore his hamstring. Obviously wasn't bad because he has been selected on the bench this week. Nathan Charles (Rebels) - Came off with concussion after getting a tackle wrong. Named to play Rd 19 regardless. Dane Haylett-Petty (Rebels) - Had a mild knee injury. Manage to play on for some time until eventually being subbed off. Sounds like he is likely to miss Rd 19. Geoff Parling (Rebels) - Apparently injured his shoulder and won't play Rd 19. Tom Cusack (Brumbies) - Came off with concussion. Damien Fitzpatrick (Waratahs) - Came off a while after dislocating his fingers. It was evident that he was struggling with his line out throwing immediately after the injury. Michael Little (Sunwolves) - Came off early in the second half with a right elbow injury. He has been named again this week so clearly he does not rate the significance of his injuries. Ed Quirk (Sunwolves) - Came off with concussion. Grant Hattingh (Sunwolves) - Flown back to Japan with an unspecified injury. Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves) - Got a 3 week ban for his tip tackle against the Waratahs.

Handre Pollard (Bulls) - Is now an injury concern for this week with a sore back. Source here. Jason Jenkins (Bulls) - Withdrew late with a last minute calf "contusion" (bruise). They are keeping an eye on him at the back end of the week to make a decision. Ruben Van Heerden (Bulls) - Subbed off 23 minutes in with an injury of his own. Jacobus van Dyk (Stormers) - Concussion Damian de Allende (Stormers) - Left the field clutching his arm. Jean Luc du Plessis (Stormers) - Pulled pregame with a hip injury. Dan Du Preez (Sharks) - Had to be stretchered off in the 23rd minute. Had scans for his neck immediately in hospital but sounds like it might not be as bad as first feared. Actually recovered and has been named to play! Source here. Thomas du Toit (Sharks) - Seen on the bench appling ice to his shoulder. Not sure that it is seen as serious. S'bu Nkosi (Sharks) - Came off in the 38th minute with an ankle injury. Diagnosed as a syndesmosis sprain. He will be out for 8-12 weeks. Source here.

[getty src="993232424" width="594" height="396" tld="com.au"] Michael Little struggled with an elbow injury during the Sunwolves loss to the Waratahs. Credit to Getty images.

Likely back for this week (Rd 19):

Tim Perry (Crusaders) - Tore his hamstring again in All Blacks camp. Described as "at least a few weeks away" before Rd 16. Source here. Should be back this week. Tim Bateman (Crusaders) - Has a grade 2 hamstring tear from Rd 15. Could be out for up to a month so we should see him after the Rd 17 bye. James Parsons (Blues) - Was due back from concussion last week but got pulled late. Should be right this week. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs) - His comeback from a pec injury has been pushed back a week to round 19. Source here.

Scott Sio (Brumbies) - Came off early with a shoulder injury in Rd 17. Back for the final game of the season against the Waratahs.

Burger Odendaal (Bulls) - Tore his calf playing for the Golden Lions two weeks ago and couldn't play on the weekend. Sounds like he might be right this week. Source here. Travis Ismaiel (Bulls) - Struggling with "a niggle" after returning from international duty. Source here.

[getty src="962576590,513838978,962593382,962571540" width="594" height="396" tld="com.au"] Brodie Retallick is expected to be fit to play this week. Credit to Getty Images.

Ongoing Injury List:

NEW ZEALAND Highlanders Tevita Nabura (Highlanders) - Got a red card for fly kicking Waratahs winger Clarke in the face Rd 14. Copped a 6 week ban meaning we will see him for the last round of the regular season. Source here.

Hurricanes The Hurricanes this year won't play anyone that isn't fit to play fully on Monday of the game week. Ardie Savea - Out for 2-3 weeks from the third international after injuring his ankle early for NZ. Chiefs The Chiefs this year - "There was a team policy this year to give injured players an extra week to ensure they were fully fit." Mitchell Graham – Still struggling with his leg injury (Update 25/6). Unlikely to play again this season. Kane Hames – Struggling with concussion. Unlikely to feature again this year. Nepo Laulala (Chiefs) – Fractured left forearm requiring surgery. Was a chance for Rd 19 but now it looks like he is more likely for the quarter final. Source here. Crusaders Braydon Ennor - "Monday's scan revealed he suffered two high-ankle sprains last weekend - good news considering it was initially feared he broke both ankles"! Source here. These injuries can go for 6 weeks plus, so no guarantee he will be back after the break.

Blues Isaac Salmon – Elbow Daniel Kirkpatrick - Rib injury. Dalton Papali'i - Injured his hamstring early. Umaga said "it doesn't look good" so he might not be right for Rd 17. Source here. Josh Goodhue - Concussion in Rd 12. Not much word out of the Blues camp (as usual) but surely he is back soon. Sonny Bill Williams - Came off with an AC joint shoulder injury in the third test. Apparently he could even be in doubt for the first test match of the Rugby Championship. We won't see him again this year in Super Rugby. Source here.

AUSTRALIA Waratahs Jack Dempsey – Hamstring Injury – Originally targeted a Rd 9 return. On kick and chase before Rd 19 it was revealed that he was struggling with a nerve injury to the area as well. He has dome some basic line out jumping and drills but doesn't sound like he will play this season. Michael Hooper - Tore his hamstring in the third international against Ireland. Set to miss four weeks which means he could even miss the quarter final if the Waratahs make it. Source here.

Brumbies Rob Valentini - Limped off with another MCL tear. The Brumbies are hopefully he could be back after the international break. Sam Carter - Missed Rd 17 and 18 with a back problem.

Reds Izaia Perese - Injured his knee in club rugby and wasn't right for Rd 17. Sounds like he is unlikely to play in the next two weeks. Source here. Rebels Will Genia (Rebels) - Recovered quickly from the operation on his fractured arm, but won't be right until the first week of finals. Source here. Adam Coleman (Rebels) - Has an adductor (groin) injury from the third international against Ireland. Back for the start of finals.

SOUTH AFRICA Sharks Nil

Stormers Eben Etzebeth – Shoulder nerve injury. Still not right for Rd 17 against the Argies. Juarno Augustus – progressing well from a long term injury but not fit for Rd 17. Damian Willemse - Carried off on a stretcher at the U20 world cup. Injured his knee and should be gone for 4-6 weeks. Source here. Seabelo Senatla - Injured his groin and not available for Rds 17 and 18. Jano Vermaak - Also listed as unavailable for Rd 17. No more details yet. Jaco Coetzee - Unavailable due to repeat concussions Dan du Plessis - Injured his knee and won't be available for round 18. SP Marais  - Has a quad injury that made him miss Rd 17 and now 18. Siya Kolisi - Ruled out of round 18 with illness. With a bye in the final week his season is done. Justin Phillips - Battling a rib injury and just missed their final game of the season.

Lions Robbie Coetzee - Got taken out by his own team mate and injured his left knee. Has gone for surgery and won't be seen again this season (I would think).

Bulls Hendre Stassen - Looked to be in a lot of discomfort with an ankle injury in Rd 14. We might not see him for a while. Marnitz Boshoff - 1/05/18: Recovering well from his meniscus surgery so could be back for Rd 17, probably on the bench. Trevor Nyakane - Injured his ribs and missed Rd 17. Started selective training but won't be considered for rd 19. Source here.

[getty src="884729270" width="433" height="594" tld="com.au"] Eben Etzebeth has missed the entire 2018 Super Rugby season with a nerve injury around his shoulder. Credit to Getty Images.

ARGENTINA/JAPAN Jaguares Nil

Sunwolves Uwe Helu - Came off early in Rd 17 with what looked like an ankle injury.

OUT FOR THE SEASON:

Otere Black (Blues) – ACL reconstruction Matt Johnson (Blues) - Season ending injury. No further information Scott Scrafton (Blues) - This isn't a new injury but its news to us! Scrafton has been ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. Glenn Preston (Blues)– Groin injury, out for the season. George Moala (Blues) - Pec muscle strain that will keep him out for the season. I assume that means he is having an operation to repair it. Jimmy Tupou (Blues) - Just had his ACL reconstructed, now out for the season. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) - Out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) – Retired due to concussion Vince Aso (Hurricanes) - Damaged ligaments in his wrist. Confirmed now that he is done for the season. Dane Coles (Hurricanes) – ACL Start of December. Couldn't get his knee straight so had another operation after Rd 14. Now gone for the rest of the season. Alex Fidow (Hurricanes) – Recovered from his fractured cheek but now ruptured a ligament in his big toe. This needs surgery and he will be gone for the season. Source here. Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) - Wrist fracture I think in Rd 9, out for 12 weeks which apparently could put him back for Rd 19. The Hurricanes are saying he probably wont play again this season. Matt Proctor (Hurricanes) - Gone for the season, I think just from his sternum injury. Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) – Injured shoulder in final trial against Brumbies – having surgery and will be out for the season. Atu Moli (Chiefs) – Had a complication with a quad haematoma which required surgery. Ruled out for the season. Mitchell Brown (Chiefs) – Ruptured ACL after round 5, had an operation and out for the season. Dominic Bird (Chiefs) – Ruled out for the season after having an operation on his shoulder. Fin Hoeata (Chiefs) – His shoulder needs a reconstruction so he will be out for the season. Aidan Ross (Chiefs) - Broke his ankle and had to be stretchered off the field. Gone for the season. Sam McNicol (Chiefs) – Recurrent Concussions – now ruled out for the season. Taleni Seu  (Chiefs) - Limped off half an hour into the game against the Hurricanes in Rd 9. Now confirmed he has fractured his back and is out for the season. Ben Funnell (Crusaders) - Tore his ACL against the Sunwolves in Rd 10. Out for the season. Oli Jager (Crusaders) - Hurt his shoulder during training before the Lions game (Rd 7). Now decided to have a reconstruction (Rd 11) so won't play again this season. Tom Sanders (Crusaders) - Fractured the ankle in Rd 10 that got a pin in it in preseason. Requires another operation and is very unlikely to play again this season. Billy Harmon (Crusaders) - Came off against the French Barbarians in week 2 of the internationals with an injured knee. Has apparently torn his MCL (inside knee ligament) and PCL (deep in the knee) which required surgery. Gone for the season. Source here. Jone Macilai (Crusaders) - Fractured his tibial plateau (knee) against the French Barbarians and will be gone for the rest of the season.

Quade Cooper (Reds) – unwanted by reds but still contracted – unlikely to see him play this season. Karmichael Hunt (Reds) – He may be back from his drug trial but Thorn says he hasn't being attending training for the Reds or even club footy. It sounds like his season is as good as done. Source here. Nick Frisby (Reds) – His services will not be needed. Markus Vanzati (Reds) – His services will not be needed. James Slipper (Reds) - Not considered for selection in Rd 14 after testing positive for Cocaine (TWICE). He has now been stood down for two months so we won't see him again this season. Source here. Chris Feauai-Sautia (Reds) - Tore the meniscus in his knee playing club rugby during the internationals, had surgery and won't play again this year. Samu Kerevi (Reds) - Has ruptured his bicep. Had Surgery on Monday the 2nd of July so will be out for 12-16 weeks. Source here. Ben McCalman (Waratahs) – 4th Fractured Scapula (Shoulder blade) in 2 years, Waratahs want a medical before signing him. Looks like they didn’t end up signing him. Josh Mann-Rea (Brumbies) – Tore his hamstring off the bone in round 4, has now had surgery and will be out for the season. Chance Peni (Brumbies) - His first game back for his club he has again dumped someone on their head, he has now been rubbed out for another six weeks. Season over! Jordan Uelese (Rebels) - Hurt his left knee trying to make a tackle on Akira Ioane. Had to be carried off by two players. Sounds like he has done his ACL and is gone for the season. Lappies Labuschagne (Sunwolves) - His time with the Sunwolves has finished as his contract with the Kubota Spears won't allow him to play any further. This is a real worry for other Sunwolves players since we don't know what each contract outlines, and this came out of no where! Hosea Saumake (Sunwolves) - Ruptured his ACL and will be gone for the season.

Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) – ACL reconstruction Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks) - Injured his MCL in the first few minutes of Rd 17. Done for the season. Jaco Kriel (Lions) – Off season shoulder op – was expected back for Rd 4 but reinjured his shoulder, is having ANOTHER operation and is expected out for a further six months! Looks like he is done for the season. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions) - He has been released to the Sale Sharks immediately. Chris Van Zyl (Stormers) - Out for the rest of the season with a left knee meniscus repair. Source here. Roelof Smit (Bulls) - Injured his knee, "A complete grade 3 tear of his ligament", i'm assuming his MCL, so he is out for 10-12 weeks. The rest of the season. Source here. Rudy Paige (Bulls) – cut from the squad Tim Agaba (Bulls) - Played for the Blue Bulls in Rd 11 and tore his bicep. Has had an operation and is out for four to six months/ the season. Source here. Lood De Jager (Bulls) - Ruptured his Pec muscle in Rd 13 and will be out for four months! Source here. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) - Suffered an injury to the tendon in his toe and will be out for the rest of the year (four to six months) having an operation. Same source as Lood's horror injury. Enrique Pieretto (Jaguares) – ACL Reconstruction Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares) - Came off with a knee injury. Now confirmed as an ACL rupture he will be out for the season having surgery.

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

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.