Wulf and Kaino injuries rock Blues

Updated March 03, 2012 14:38:53

Standout back Rudi Wulf and All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino will miss the Blues' two-match Super Rugby trip to South Africa.

The pair were injured in Friday's 29-14 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. Wulf suffered a grade two AC joint shoulder injury and is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks.

Kaino has some instability in his left shoulder and has been ruled out of next week's clash against the Bulls in Pretoria.

However, his injury will be monitored and he could fly to South Africa later next week in preparation for the Stormers match in Cape Town on March 17.

Blues coach Pat Lam conceded it was a big blow to lose two players of Wulf and Kaino's calibre, but said his side had the resolve to bounce back.

"It's a big blow but that's just the nature of the game," Lam said.

"Obviously our game was disappointing, particularly in the first half and it's a blow for us to lose Wulf and Kaino, but every team is going to have to deal with injuries and we're no different.

"We've just got to trust the squad, get over there, re-group and bounce back. We know a lot of people are disappointed but we're the ones to sort this out."

Peter Saili will join the squad travelling to South Africa as loose forward cover but no one will replace Wulf, as the Blues leave a spot open for Kaino should he recover in time to face the Stormers.

Charlie Faumuina has recovered from a knee injury and will be fit to play the Bulls.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted March 03, 2012 14:38:53

View the original article here

Rugby - Avoiding Injuries

Brumbies' Vaea banned as Reds rue injuries

Updated June 5, 2011 12:38:00

Brumbies number eight Ita Vaea has been suspended for one week after being found guilty in a weekend incident that left Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane unconscious, SANZAR said on Sunday.

The news came as the Reds suffered a major double-blow to their Super Rugby title hopes with backs Anthony Faingaa and Ben Lucas both uncertain to play again this season after their 22-14 loss to the Brumbies.

A SANZAR judicial hearing in Brisbane found Vaea guilty of making a dangerous tackle on Ioane in the 48th minute of Saturday's Super 15 match in Brisbane.

Vaea was cited to appear before the tribunal and he was suspended from all rugby for one week up to and including next Sunday.

Television replays showed that Ioane was knocked out when he crashed face-first into the ground after being struck across the face by Vaea's swinging arm.

Reds officials said the Wallaby winger was suffering from concussion but that precautionary scans Sunday had revealed no further damage.

Ioane is expected to miss the Reds' penultimate match against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night and possibly the final-round clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The news was not as good however for Reds centre Faingaa, who sustained a grade two hamstring strain late in the match at Lang Park and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

With two regular season rounds left before the play-offs, Faingaa could only hope to make it back for the tournament decider on July 9 at best if the Reds qualify.

Full-back Lucas is also battling to return for the finals after badly injuring his knee in the dying stages.

The versatile back strained his medial cruciate ligament and is down to miss three to four weeks.

Making life tougher for the table-topping Queenslanders is the fact Kiwi recruit Mike Harris, who has started at both centre and full-back this season, is unlikely to return from knee surgery this week.

But coach Ewen McKenzie said his side would roll with the punches.

"It's disappointing but every team has injuries and experiences challenges at this late stage of the season," McKenzie said.

"We'll continue to move forward and as has been the case all season, it's now an opportunity for someone to take advantage of the chance they'll be given."

- AAP/AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted June 5, 2011 12:21:00

View the original article here