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All Blacks prop and three others ruled out for the season as Chiefs injury toll mounts
By Online Editors
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Although the Chiefs will be taking part in the brand new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition for the remainder of the season, their growing injury toll remains consistent with the problems they've faced since Super Rugby's inception way back in 1996.
In the front end of this year's regular competition, men like Angus Ta'avao, Atu Moli and Damian McKenzie spent time on the sidelines through injury while Nathan Harris was ruled out for the season before the first match even kicked off. Yesterday, it was announced that new All Blacks captain Sam Cane will also miss the opening match of the Aotearoa competition.
Now, the Chiefs have confirmed that Moli - as well as locks Michael Allardice and Laghlan McWhannell and outside back Sam McNicol will all be out of action for the remainder of the season.
With Brodie Retallick on a sabbatical, Allardice has carried a heavy load for the Chiefs in 2020 and was the only experienced out-and-out lock in the squad, with Tyler Ardron also spending much of the season in the second row despite typically playing in the loose forwards. Allardice has undergone shoulder reconstruction surgery.
McWhannell, meanwhile, is in his second season with the Chiefs but is still yet to earn any minutes due to a torrid run of injuries - the latest requiring a patellar tendon debridement.
Young Taranaki second-rower Tupou Vaa'i, who was a member of last year's New Zealand Under 20 squad, has now officially joined the side and will back-up the likes of Ardron and his Under 20s teammate Naitoa Ah Kuoi.
No replacements have been made for Moli (who will undergo FAI surgery on both left and right hips due to chronic hip dysfunction) or McNicol (ankle surgery) who are both in the final years of their contracts with the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby.
McNicol has fought his way back from many an injury since his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes back in 2015 but the latest set-back will be even more frustrating for the talented utility, given he is potentially fighting for a contract for next season.
The Chiefs kick-off their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday evening.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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