Tomorrow sees the start of the fifth round of Super Rugby action, and the injuries list continues to grow at a rapid pace. The highlights in this week’s list are as follows:
Isaia Toeava, from the Blues, has been ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby season, with a hip injury that has never healed properly from the RWC last year. More bad news for the Blues is that Keven Mealamu has been ruled out of this weekend’s match against the Hurricanes. On the positive side though, both Rudi Wulf and David Raikuna are back on the wings.
For the Lions, we can report that Michael Bondesio is struggling with an injury, and we can only wait for confirmation whether he will play this weekend.
For the Bulls, Johann Sadie is back from injury, while Deon Steggman and Dewald Potgieter remain on the crocked list.
For the Sharks, Jean Deysel is no longer on the injured list as he is available, and will be selected for the Sharks XV match, that takes place on Friday evening.
For the Stormers, Rynardt Elstadt played for the Western Province Vodacom Cup team against the Sharks XV last weekend, and has been removed from the injured list as well.
Lastly, Dan Carter is no longer on the injury list for the Crusaders as he has been selected to face the Cheetahs this weekend, while Ryan Crotty also returns from injury to take up the 12 jersey.
If there are any changes, injuries or returns that I have missed, please just mention them below so that I can update the list.
Bulls:
Dewald Potgieter
Deon Steggman
Cheetahs:
Juan Smith
Dusty Noble (Season)
Lions:
Elton Jantjies
Alwyn Hollenbach
CJ van der Linde
JC Janse van Rensburg
Wikus van Heerden
Bandise Maku
Waylon Murray
Michael Bondesio
Sharks:
Beast Mtawarira
Ryan Kankowski
Julian Redelinghuys
Al Hargreaves
JP Pietersen
Wiehahn Herbst
Ross Skeate
Stormers:
Deon Fourie
Schalk Burger
Brumbies:
Fotu Auelua
Robbie Coleman
Colby Faingaa
Leon Power
Siliva Siliva
Matt To’omua
Rebels:
Michael Lipman
Stirling Mortlock
Kurtley Beale
Mitch Inman
Reds:
Quade Cooper
Anthony Faingaa
Chris Feau-Sautia
Peter Hynes (Expected to retire)
David McDuling (Season)
Aidan Toua
Adam Wallace-Harrison
Mike Harris
Ben Lucas
Waratahs:
Rocky Elsom
Damien Fitzpatrick (Season)
Pat McCutcheon (Season)
Drew Mitchell (Season)
Atieli Pakalani
Lachie Turner (Season)
Dan Vickerman
Western Force:
Pat Dellit
Ben McCalman
Napolioni Nalaga
Jordan Rapana (Season)
Cameron Shepherd
Blues:
Anthony Boric
Jerome Kaino (Season)
Isaia Toeava (Season)
Keven Mealamu
Chiefs:
Ben Afeaki
Alex Bradley
Shane Cleaver
Hika Elliot
Brendon Leonard
Lelia Masaga
Toby Smith
Crusaders:
Richie McCaw
Highlanders:
Jarrad Hoeata
Kendrick Lynn
Siale Piutau
Lima Sopoaga
Ben Smith
Shaun Treeby
John Hardy
Chris King
Hurricanes:
Alapati Leiua
Chris Smylie (Season)
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Surely this is an indication that there is just too much rugby being played?!
It would be good if they rest Bondisio this game, it would give Tian Meyer a chance to show what he has
4 Injured, 1 suspended 😕
@Mutley (Comment 2) :
Tian Meyer is also struggling with an injury, but it is hoped that he will be able to play this weekend.
He hasn’t been ruled out as yet, so I have not put him on the list.
@StevieS (Comment 1) : This is an indication that coaches and trainers have not yet adapted to the amount of rugby being played by players in this era.
You can’t play them every game, they need to be managed now or you just need to accept injuries. But many of these injuries are acute injuries, which players might well have gotten even if the rugby season was cut in half. Having said this, you can never underestimate the value of giving a player’s body some rest to regain some strength and maybe even prevent acute injuries – the body can only take so much.
Hey Rich, won’t JP be ready for the Waratahs game?
Even if he is though, I think it would be a good thing if Plum gives him another rest, Bosman and Timmy did a very good job together.
@Letgo (Comment 6) :
JPP won’t make the match 22 for the Waratahs game..
@JarsonX (Comment 3) :
pending the Lions/Sharks announcements i have 5 injuries , 1 suspension and 1 bye
that list already includes Al and JPP though
@Zibbie (Comment 8) :
Four injuries, one bye, two suspensions..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) :
I hate myself for transferring out Wulf ..
@Zibbie (Comment 10) :
Dude, it happens..
I had to make my first trade this morning 🙁
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) :
must say SR is much more interesting then CC . We should campaign to get 5 extra transfers for SR 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 12) :
The limited trades makes it very interesting, I think it should stay as it is..
Maybe work in a clause that a season ending injury in the first five weeks will not be counted as a trade?!
But its too much fun as it is..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) :
yes true .
20 weeks to go though . anything can still happen
I have some hard decisions, like do I trade out Jantjies? Do we know when he is back?
@Zibbie (Comment 14) : And only 10 measly trades 😯
@lostfish (Comment 15) :
Jantjies should be back in a month, if I am not mistaken?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) : That is a long time.
@lostfish (Comment 18) :
Is it worth one of very few trades?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 19) : That is the dilemma, it is a key scoring position though. DC is also available now.
@lostfish (Comment 20) :
True..
And you have to consider whether Jantjies will be in the reckoning for those final few weeks?
you have forgotten Rhodes for the Lions, think that Wikus is available??
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) :
That should be JP ‘worlds greatest 13’ Pietersen.
Please get it right next time!! 🙄 😈
@dusty (Comment 22) :
My apologies..
I will confirm Wikus as soon as the Lions squad is announced, but I think he is still out..
@wpw (Comment 23) :
Hahaha.. I will make sure of that Wes..
@wpw (Comment 23) : Put down the bottle of Haterade, Pensie. 😈
@wpw (Comment 23) : Still hurting from Jacques “The World’s Greatest Mercenary” Fourie leaving? 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 27) :
😆
@Culling Song (Comment 27) :
Not at all.
We have an able replacement in Juan ‘inside step’ De Jongh! 😉
@wpw (Comment 23) : Glad you got it right Wes! 😈