Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo has fractured the same leg that stymied his All Blacks selection last year and will miss up to two months of Super Rugby.
Naholo, the leading tryscorer in last year’s competition, suffered the injury late in the Highlanders’ 33-31 loss to the Blues at Eden Park.
A team statement said scans confirmed a new fracture to the leg he injured on Test debut against Argentina in Hamilton last July and he’s been ruled out for six to eight weeks.
That injury sidelined the 24-year-old for nearly three months until he played World Cup pool games against Georgia and Tonga.
Naholo made headlines last year when he won World Cup squad selection, having recovered more quickly than anticipated.
He owed his rapid return to a traditional island healing method involving leaves and massage.
Macleod says Naholo will not return to Fiji for treatment this time, with his recuperation to come under the watch of Highlanders medical staff, with the injury not as severe as last year’s.
“He is already managing well and it’s expected his rehab will take six to eight weeks,” Macleod said.
In a further blow, reserve halfback Fumiaki Tanaka will miss the next month after injuring his calf at training ahead of the Blues game.
The Japan international was replaced on the bench by Josh Renton.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph was philosophical about the injuries to members of his 2015 championship-winning side.
“To lose players for an extended period is always disappointing but you have to expect injuries to occur at some point,” he said.
“As a group we simply deal with it and move on, the focus for the players now will be to rehab well and work to make themselves available again.”
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Hardly my area of expertise, and sounds like it's yours, but surely doing power weights if the leg isn't healed properly does more harm than good? Not being contrary, geniuely interested.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
Weight training STRENGTHENS bones, not weakens them. Thus, my concerns. If you read carefully, cyclists have weak bones because of no weight bearing exercises. Astronauts develop osteoporosis in space, despite the exercise they do. The science is complicated and not necessary for this commentary. This is either a statistical quirk or something else. This is why I recommend testing.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Well said. Perhaps he simply rushed back a bit early to make the World Cup and that leg never healed 100%? Then he's smashing weights in the preseason putting pressure on the leg so it blows first game... Though it does seem odd that he survived the World Cup and it goes now.
Highlander
Guest
yep - Tongia certainly an option, but on what little we have seen of the guys preseason and last week, Emery and Faddes look the best options to step up to this level for mine. Did like Thomsons ITM cup season last year but again, big step up.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
I find it surprising that players like him would have repeat fractures like this one. It is common in cyclists as they have very fragile bones (no impact physical activity seems to facilitate a type of osteoporosis). But, if I was in the medical staff of these teams, I would test for any possible bone "chemical" deficiency. (I am making the explanation simple for those without scientific background). It is very curious but could be managed appropriately if it is a medical issue. On the other hand, it could also be a statistical quirk. But testing is easy and relatively cheap....why not do it?
CUW
Guest
what happened to rob thomson??? anyway tongia can play at fullback if necessary and push smith to wing. they started with a center from the wider group so... :)
ClarkeG
Guest
Ryan Tongia?
ClarkeG
Guest
Yeah it was the case of don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah Shane... but it was a classic story in the Hollywood vain eh. Should have won an oscar... possibly? Favourite son done good returns to his island village to undergo medicine man treatment which involves plenty of herb man... and then bingo he's recovered and playing on the biggest stage in world a couple days later at Twickers England in the all conquering soon to be back to back champs of the world All Blacks. Try saying that with one breath! By the way they're the team that do that great little cultural thingy before the game... tongues out and grunting stuff. And directly after that they just basically pummel the shyte outta any team they play. Come to think about it... definitely worthy of an Oscar!
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Their whole village medicine man thing was a beat up. He was back in the timeframe that was originally talked about when he first broke the leg. The leaves story was just a good story that had no actual effect in his leg but probably did him some good mentally.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Yep, sure will be a test of depth ... but when backs to the wall .... well there is only one think that Joseph's charges can do and that is muscle up, it is what it is. I know is is very, very early days yet and results may not have a great bearing of the future, but equally, I'm sure that not one of the serious contenders will want to start the season with back to back losses, yet that is what is gonna happen down in Dunedin this weekend. Either your Highlanders or Digger's Hurricanes is going to come off the ground "zero from two" (unless a draw of course!).
Highlander
Guest
Hi RT - Still a young fella so hopefully he comes back stronger, remember last year was his first season. Big problems for us now, Naholo, Buckman and Tanaka out. No natural wingers in the squad, so either Emery or Faddes (debut season) onto the wing or move Ben Smith which would be madness given the year he has just had at fullback. All injuries last year were in the tight 5 and well covered, but we don't have many quality back reserves, the problems of being a small franchise - no real depth. Hoping the Canes can find it in their hearts to have another shocker this weekend.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Geez Highlander, the guy has had his share of bad luck ...
ClarkeG
Guest
Routine side on tackle Scrum where Ranger is not in a position to apply hit or power other than to wrap around Naholo's legs to bring him to ground. Certainly not a tackle where one would expect to incur injury such as this.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Doubt it feels routine when you're hit by Ranger, that bloke has power. Need to get Naholo eating nothing but baby cow growth hormone and eggshells... would hate to see a great players career end before it really gets started.
ClarkeG
Guest
I'm sure he is very very good however if he continues to suffer injuries such as this then we may never see how good. On the assumption he was ok up to this point he appears to have gone down in the 76m when routinely tackled around the legs by Ranger.
Highlander
Guest
Bgga
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Yes, he reminds me of Speight a little bit. Seen him do some awesome stuff but just not quite sure he's a permanent fixture. I do want to know more about this 'leaves and massage' technique though. Sounds interesting!
Allanthus
Guest
Wow, hard to see how he did it in the game, not much play came his way. Probably a good idea to give the village medicine man a miss this time and try the conventional route. Must say, I'm not sure we really know how good this guy is yet? The RWC try he scored against Georgia was a stunner, then after that he looked like he wouldn't make the bench for the Kings.