The Casualty Ward Rd 4
The Casualty Ward Rd 4
Can't keep up with all the rest weeks and injuries? The Casualty Ward is here!
Season 2 Episode 9 of the @DraftRugby podcasts will be available from Wednesday morning (AEST). Cargie, Harry & Nelson review round 4, preview round 5 and give you your fair share of dessert, all through a Fantasy Rugby lens. Tune in, rate, review and share us. You'll find us across all platforms on the links below:
Returned from injury in rd 4
Ben Smith (Highlanders) - Started at full back after being rested for rd 3.
Aaron Smith (Highlanders) - Started at halfback after being rested for rd 3.
Luke Whitelock (Highlanders) - Started at 8 after being rested for rd 3.
Liam Coltman (Highlanders) - Started at lock after being rested for rd 3.
Tevita Li (Highlanders) - Started at wing after being rested for rd 3.
Richard Buckman (Highlanders) - Started on the wing after his post Japan rest weeks.
Nathan Harris (Chiefs) - Started at hooker after being rested for rd 3.
Tyler Ardron (Chiefs) - Recovered from his concussion in rd 2 to be named at lock.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) - Started at 12 after being rested for rd 3.
Nepo Laulala (Chiefs) - Started at prop after being rested for rd 3.
Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs) – Recovered from a wrist fracture but got knocked out early.
Jack Debreczeni (Chiefs) – Recovered from his abdominal strain to come off the bench at flyhalf. Scored a good try.
Tumua Manu (Chiefs) - Late scratching with a groin injury in rd 3. Recovered to start in rd 4.
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) - Played on the wing after being rested for rd 3.
Alex Fidow (Hurricanes) - Made his comeback from a shoulder injury as a late fill in for Ben May Has who was pulled pregame.
Codie Taylor (Crusaders) – Came back off the bench after a 3 week rest to start his season. Should start this week.
Blake Gibson (Blues)– Back from his ankle sprain.
Scott Scrafton (Blues) - Recovered from his severe knee injury. Came off the bench. May get shafted next week with the return of Patrick Tuipulotu.
Sam Nock (Blues) - Back from a calf injury to take a spot on the bench.
Sam Carter (Brumbies) - Left at home from the NZ tour in round 3 to recover from a quad cork. Started this week.
Henry Speight (Brumbies)- Recovered from his hip pointer and scored a good try early.
Tatafu Polotau-Nau (Waratahs) - Brought back from Leicester on a loan deal. Played off the bench,
James Moore (Sunwolves) - Late withdrawal from last week he recovered to start again in rd 4.
Semisi Masirewa (Sunwolves) - Recovered from his concussion to play at full back.
Curwin Bosch (Sharks) - Came off the bench in round 4.
Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares) – Came back from a hamstring tear only to injure his hip.
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New Injuries Rd 4:
Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders) - Concussion
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders) - Concussion
Vince Aso (Hurricanes) - Had a "pretty bad" shoulder injury according to the coach. Could be out for multiple weeks. Source here.
Ben May (Hurricanes) - Was originally named on the bench but did not feature on the day. Named to make his comeback in rd 5.
Joe Moody (Crusaders) - Ankle injury. Not as severe as first thought, but will miss round 5. I'd say 2-4 week injury as an educated guess. Source here.
Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs) - Failed his concussion testing after a huge hit. Almost made it back for round 5 but will be seen the week after.
Jack Debreczeni (Chiefs) - Unavailable for selection this week. He must have picked up an injury during the week.
Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) - Going through concussion protocols, won't play
Adam Coleman (Rebels) - Concussion
Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) - Dislocated his wrist. Apparently not as bad as first thought, could be out for one or two weeks. Source here.
David Pocock (Brumbies) - Came off after 64 min when his calf strain. Expected to miss 1-2 weeks. Source here.
Will Miller (Waratahs) - Limped off with an injured right ankle.
Phil Burleigh (Sunwolves) - Pulled from his 23 jersey pregame with an injury.
Jeremy Ward (Sharks) - Suspended for five weeks for dangerous tackle on Rosko Specman. Source here.
Ali Vermaak (Stormers) - Struggling with a neck injury. Won't play rd 5 and is even in doubt for the tour (which goes for 4 weeks). That could put him back until at worst round 10. Source here.
Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares) - Came off with a hip injury. Won't play in round 5. Source here.
Matias Orlando (Jaguares) - Pulled from the bench pregame with an ankle injury.
Marcos Kremmer (Jaguares) - Picked up an "incomplete" fracture of the 3rd long bone in his hand in training and won't play in round 5. They aren't sure if he will miss more time yet. Source here.
Likely back for this week (Rd 5):
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) - Was rested for the first four weeks of the season.
Toby Smith (Hurricanes) - Pulled late from the final trial due to concussion. Named to start this week.
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs) – was only cleared to return to contact in the first week of Feb following a head knock against the Hurricanes on July. Source here.
Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs) – Came off in the trial against the Brumbies on the 7th of Feb with what looked like a hamstring injury. Out for up to a month so should come into contention for a spot in rd 4. So if he doesn't play this week he is probably out of the 23. Source here.
Michael Wells (Waratahs)– Juggling 7s and Waratahs this year. He should play the Las Vegas (March 1-3) and Vancouver (March 9-10) stops on the world tour. Should be back with the squad for rd 5. Source here.
Nick Phipps (Waratahs) – Back on the bench after recovering from his calf injury.
Lausii Taliauli (Brumbies) – Came off after landing heavily on his knee in the trial against the Waratahs on the 7th of Feb. Back from injury this week. Source here
Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves) - Makes his long awaited return this week on the wing.
Amanaki Mafi (Sunwolves) - Back on the bench for this week. He has a court case on March 27th which will decide if they are pushing for charges now, or not until after the rugby world cup. Source here. .
Marvin Orie (Lions) - Midweek "minor groin tweak" before rd 3. Sound like they hoped he would play rd 4, so should be right this week.
Cobus Wiese (Stormers) – Took a head knock in preseason. Back doing full training before round 3 so he should be back in contention for a jersey. Source here.
Seabelo Senatla (Stormers) - Expected to be back for Rd 3 after dislocating his finger on the 19th Feb. Wasn't selected so he might not be in the teams top side considering their depth out wide. Source here.
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) – Tore his hamstring in the last trial, fit again for rd 5. Source here.
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Ongoing Injury List:
NEW ZEALAND
All Blacks are expected to miss two weeks during the Super Rugby season.
All Blacks are also not meant to play 5 game weeks in a row.
Highlanders
Kalolo Tuiloma – The prop is unavailable due to injury. No more news yet. Source here.
Liam Squire - Unavailable with a chronic hip injury as of round 2. Apparently he is doubtful for rd 3, but should be right" in the next couple of weeks". Source here.
Rob Thompson - Left ankle injury in rd 2. Will be out for 3-4 weeks (return rd 6-7) . Source here.
Hurricanes
The Hurricanes in 2018 wouldn’t play anyone that isn’t fit to play fully on Monday of the game week.
Nehe Milner-Skudder – Injured his shoulder on November 3. “Still going to miss a few weeks yet”. Source here.
Gareth Evans - Has a calf strain from rd 2 that should still keep him out for at least rounds 4 and 5. Source here.
James Marshall - Confirmed to have dislocated his shoulder in rd 1. Will be out for a fair while. Source here.
Chiefs
The Chiefs in 2018 – “There was a team policy this year to give injured players an extra week to ensure they were fully fit.”
Sam Cane – Fractured his neck against South Africa last year. Targeting a May return
Kane Hames – Still going through concussion protocols from last year, expected to play “very soon”, but no clear time line. Source here.
Atu Moli - Pulled pre-game rd 1 with an elbow injury. Will be out for 4-5 weeks.
Liam Polwart – Had a preseason concussion and was being monitored as of the 5th Feb. Who knows with these injuries! Source here.
Crusaders
Kieran Read – The All Blacks have ordered him to miss the first four weeks of the season, but it now looks like that return is in doubt. He is still struggling with a few injuries including his back which was operated on last year. Expected back in 1-3 week, definitely by rd 7 against the Hurricanes. Source here.
Israel Dagg – Rehabbing his “troublesome”, arthritic knee. Doing everything he can to be available for selection but it sounds like he is well and truly up against it. Source here.
Tim Perry - Broke his forearm Badly, needed a pin and plate. Apparently his season could be over. They are hopting he could he is back by rd 18 at the earliest. Source here.
Oliver Jager - Has a shoulder injury. Not expected back for another 4 weeks from round 5. Source here.
Blues
Jimmy Tupou – ACL reconstruction mid May 2018, “still working back from it”, standard rehab of 9 months would put him back around mid Feb, but that can vary a lot. Source here.
Jed Brown – Went off with a sore calf in the trial on the 25th of Jan. Doesn’t sound like much, but missed the trial and Rd 1 of the season.
Stephen Perofeta – Preseason pec muscle injury, apparently he could be gone for 16 weeks! Season pretty much gone....
Matt Duffie – Hamstring tear. Still no mention of him at the end of round 3.
Leni Apisai – Neck
Ezekiel Lindenmuth – Knee
Jacob Pierce – Ankle
Jordan Trainor – Thigh
Caleb Clarke - Pulled pregame for a knee injury rd 2. Apparently could be out for 8 weeks. Source here.
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AUSTRALIA
The Australian sides have reached a “handshake agreement” with Rugby Australia to rest their Wallabies throughout the year. Most likely one or two weeks, but it is worth knowing when comparing to last seasons efforts. Source here.
Brumbies
Toni Pulu - Fractured his cheek rd 1. Went straight to hospital for surgery and is expected to miss a good chunk of the season, I'd expect 6 weeks. Source here.
Reds
James Tuttle – Ruptured his Achilles tendon in the NRC during late October last year. Recovery is an absolute minimum of 6 months, more likely 8-9 months (as per SBW and Slipper) which puts him at a return in May at the absolute earliest, more likely late June/ July. Probably his season gone! Source here.
Matt McGahan – Arrived at training before christmas with a broken leg. Not sure of the severity but it means he won’t start running until at least February, and probably will miss the start of the season. Source here.
Rebels
Jordan Uelese – Still recovering from a knee reconstruction. Ruptured his ACL in June, a 9 month recovery therefore puts his return date around early March. Source here.
Matt Toomua – Playing for Leicester until at least the 18th of May. Won’t be back before round 15 at the earliest.
Waratahs
Tom Robertson – ACL reconstruction (knee) in mid October. Will rule him out for 6-9 months (normally 9), so we could see him anywhere from mid April to mid July. Source here.
Shambeckler Vui – Limped off the field in the final trial with a foot sprain and is likely to miss a few weeks. Source here.
Tolu Latu - Latu has been cited for an incident 'worthy of a red card' after hitting a maul just before full time rd 3. He has been banned for 6 weeks. We are completely confused by this one but take a look for yourself. See the video here.
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SOUTH AFRICA
Sharks
Jean-Luc du Preez – Injured his groin playing Gloucester in his short term deal with Sale Sharks just before the end of December. Should miss the first two months of the season! Source here.
Tyler Paul - Injured early against the Stormers in rd 3, no info on what he has done.
Aphelele Fassi - Concussion in round 3. We aren't sure of his progress but would guess he should play after the round 5 bye.
Philip van der Walt – Was expected to miss the first two to three weeks so we should definitely see him after the round 5 bye. Source here.
Stormers
Ramone Samuels – Severe Knee injury in August of last year. No definite come back date yet. Source here.
Paul de Wet – Injured. Not sure what the scrum-half has done. Source here.
EW Viljoen – Having surgery for a stress fracture. Should be back in March. Source here.
Salmaan Moerat - Injured but no word on what he has done. Source here.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe - A late withdrawal with injury before rd 3 with a four to six week shoulder injury. They "decided to take the conservative route of no operation. He should be ready in the second half of our tour should he be needed." Source here.
Bulls
Burger Odendaal - Sternum injury caused him to miss round 3 and 4. Should return after the rd 5 bye. Source here.
Ruan Steenkamp - Concussion in rd 3. Going through the protocols now so we expect him to be back after the rd 5 bye.
Johnny Kotze - Out of round 2 with viral meningitis, will be training fully with the squad and probably back for round 7. Source here.
Travis Ismaiel – Was expected to have recovered from shoulder surgery for the start of the season but needed a revision surgery. Will be training fully with the squad and probably back for round 7. Source here.
Jaco Visagie – Ankle injury required surgery. Back after the round 5 bye. Source here.
Roelof Smit - Back training before round 3. Back after the round 5 bye. Source here.
Jano Venter – Originally out for the first two months of the season. Back after the round 5 bye. Source here.
Edgar Marutlulle – Injured his achilles, expected back rd 6-7. Source here.
Marco van Staden – Shoulder injury will rule him out until about rd 6-7. Source here.
RG Snyman – Forced to have ankle surgery after playing in Japan. Due back round 6-7. Source here.
Marnitz Boshoff – Expected back in April. At least six weeks from Rd 3. Source here.
Duncan Matthews – Carried off the field in the trial and had ankle surgery on the 11th of Feb. Will be out for 8 weeks, putting him back around round 8-9.
Lions
Lourens Erasmus – Fractured Tibia and Fibula through the ankle, 6-9 months recovery puts him back around June/ July so he could miss the entire season. Source here.
Len Massyn – Shoulder injury, aiming to be back in April. Source here.
Robbie Coetzee – Still recovering from a long term injury. No timeline for a return yet, but won’t be right for rd 2. Source here.
Cyle Brink – Knee injury back in August. Before round 3 he was reported to be back in "the next few weeks". Source here.
Johannes Jonker – Still recovering from a long term injury. Source here.
Warren Whiteley - Came off with a shoulder injury, now reported as a mid grad pec tear. He will miss 6-8 weeks (rd 9-11). Source here.
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ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Jaguares
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro – Right shoulder injury, missed the first trial against the Bulls. Source here. Update: Paul Tait says he is back into full training as of the 30th of January. Update: A new report says he won’t be back until March. Source here.
Jerónimo De la Fuente - Took a blow to the shoulder in round 2. Will miss 3-4 weeks. Most likely back after their round 6 bye.
Agustin Creevy - Fractured two vertebrae in his spine. Not sure how long he is out for yet. Source here.
Sunwolves
20 players are in an international camp from Feb 2 to March 1 so are unlikely to feature in the first 3 rounds of the year. Source here. UPDATE: Apparently they are expected back around week 6.
Lomano Lemeki – Revealed he has a stress fracture in his groin, and will “require a month or two” to heal. Source here.
Craig Millar - Suffered a fracture and dislocation in his left foot. Will be out for 12 weeks starting rd 3. Source here.
Ed Quirk - Tore the MCL on the inside of his knee. Requires an operation and 8-10 weeks off (20th April- 5th May). Source here.
Shane Gates - Broke through his lower leg in round 3. If he broke both bones as it looked, he will be going for surgery and should be gone for a significant period of time. Source here.
Kaito Shigeno - Came off early rd 3 with a rib cartilage injury. Source here.
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Gone for the season:
Aki Seiuli (Highlanders) – Apparently out for the season.
Mitchell Graham (Chiefs) – Fractured his tibia and fibula back in the 2017 Brisbane Tens, still unsure of a comeback date as he works with specialists to stop his leg pain. Source here 28th November. He still can’t run and doesn’t have a squad spot for 2019.
Tiaan Falcon (Chiefs) – Ruptured his Achilles tendon and is gone for the entire season. This means a big increase in minutes for Debreczini, and now Stephen Donald has been signed up. Source here.
Sam Lousi (Hurricanes) – Torn his pec muscle, having an operation and is out for the year. Source here.
Manasa Mataele (Crusaders) - It has finally been confirmed that his season is over after rupturing his ACL. Hopefully he is back terrorising defences next season. Source here.
Ben Hyne (Brumbies) – Re-tore his ACL just before Christmas, will likely miss the full season. Source here.
Jordan Petaia (Reds) - Has a Lisfranc injury from rd 3. Likely out for the season.
Sean McMahon (Sunwolves) – Is having preseason foot surgery on a Lisfranc injury which rules him out for the year. As a result his contract has been cancelled with the Sunwolves. Source here. Sean McMahon – Is having preseason foot surgery on a Lisfranc injury which rules him out for the year. As a result his contract has been cancelled with the Sunwolves. Source here.
Shota Horie (Sunwolves) – Had surgery on his right foot to treat a stress fracture. His return is not clear at this stage, however he is targeting playing in the Pacific Nations Cup in July. Source here.
Rene Ranger (Sunwolves) - Did his ACL trying to step off his right leg in rd 1. Gone for the season.
Garth April (Bulls) – Required surgery on his shoulder and probably won't be seen for the season.
Lood de Jager (Bulls)- Will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season to get shoulder surgery. He is out for 4-5 months so we expect he needs either a shoulder reconstruction or pec muscle repair. Source here.
Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) - Dislocated his shoulder and is having an operation on the 22nd of February. No return date has been set, but generally it is a five month lay off (mid July at the earliest). Source here.
Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.
Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.