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Things have eased on the injury front for the Chiefs, who were without 10 players only a few weeks ago, although they did lose midfielder Quinn Tupaea for up to eight weeks with a knee injury last weekend. Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane ruptured a pectoral muscle against the Blues late last month and won’t feature again this year. The Blues haven’t lost any key players to season-ending injuries during the season, but did lose hooker James Parsons to concussion-enforced retirement ahead of the campaign, and it’s increasingly likely new recruit Dillon Hunt (concussion) doesn’t play this year. ....
The Highlanders now have Folau Fakatava, Vili Koroi (Sevens), Freedom Vahaakolo, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Garden-Bachop and Solomon Alaimalo (personal reasons) missing from their backline. In a messy, stop-start game in Dunedin, Ioane was close to the best player on the paddock when he was introduced in the second half, making line breaks, setting up his outsides, scoring a try and kicking his goals. It was the perfect response after being stood down the previous week for disciplinary reasons, and Brown will be looking for more of the same after chastising his own players for their performance in the 26-23 golden-point defeat. ....
The Highlanders will almost certainly be without the ABs contender against the Blues, but the severity of his latest ankle injury is still unknown. ....
Folau Fakatava picked up a knee injury against the Crusaders and scans confirmed the Highlanders worst fears. The Highlanders have been dealt a huge injury blow after scans revealed that star halfback Folau Fakatava has sustained a full tear of the ACL in his right knee, ruling him out of rugby for 9-12 months. “This is very tough on Folau,” Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said in a statement. Highlanders Highlanders assistant coach Clarke Dermody says six disciplined players must earn back the trust of their team-mates. “He’s been playing outstanding rugby for us this season and he must have been in consideration for the All Blacks with his performances in Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and the Mitre 10 Cup. ....
Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders flanker Liam Squire ruled out for the season stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.