Injury curse strikes again
Milner-skudder facing stint on rugby sidelines
It could have been worse is the feeling after Hurricanes fullback Nehe Milner-skudder’s latest injury setback.
Milner-skudder has been ruled out for the next six weeks at least, with a fractured foot, which he suffered during the second half of the Hurricanes’ 26-18 Super Rugby loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.
Such is Milner-skudder’s recent luck, when he was sprawled on the turf after hurting his foot, there were fears it could be a repeat of last season, when he injured his shoulder in March and missed the rest of the year.
But scans this week revealed a small fracture in his right foot that will require rest, but will not need surgery.
No-one in Hurricanes camp was fronting the media on Tuesday, but Milner-skudder detailed his injury in a statement.
‘‘It’s disappointing, but these things happen in rugby,’’ Milnerskudder said. ’’All I can do is focus on the rehab and making sure I do everything right to get back on the field.
‘‘The encouraging thing is the medical staff don’t believe there will be any long-term issues. It was just a freak accident.’’
The injury came when Milnerskudder was trying to step through the Chiefs’ defensive line and was tackled by Aaron Cruden and Mitchell Brown.
As Milner-skudder was going to ground, his foot appeared to be caught awkwardly underneath Brown.
He was in pain on the deck, then was assisted off the field.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said it was impossible to put an exact time frame on Milnerskudder’s return.
‘‘That all depends on how quickly he heals, so it’s just speculation at this point, but the sooner the better.’’
Manawatu Turbos coach Jeremy Cotter hadn’t heard anything from Milner-skudder but said he felt sorry for him.
‘‘Some times it’s just a matter of bad luck,’’ Cotter said.
The fact it doesn’t require surgery or require a longer layoff will be a relief at Hurricanes headquarters. The fullback-wing had only just returned to action after being sidelined by shoulder surgery since March last year and a hamstring niggle kept him out of week one this year.
A 2015 World Cup winner, Milner-skudder was making his second appearance of the season in the game against the Chiefs.
It’s likely young Jordie Barrett will take Milner-skudder’s place in the 15 jersey.
The injury toll from Super Rugby continues to mount with other victims including Israel Dagg, Lima Sopoaga, Charlie Faumuina, Waisake Naholo, Liam Squire, Seta Tamanivalu and Ben Smith.