Steelers gutted to go down 20-17 by Harbour
The season of promising Counties Manukau Steelers flanker Fotu Lokotui is over.
The 24-year-old Patumahoe open side snapped a fibula during his Mitre 10 Cup debut against North Harbour at QEB Stadium, Albany on Thursday night
He spent the night in hospital and was operated on the next day.
Lokotui’s sidelining is a further blow to the Steelers who’ve lost five Super Rugby players, open side Sam Henwood, props Nepo Laulala and Pauliasi Manu, barnstorming No.8 Maama Vaipulu and wing Glen Fisi’iahi, to season ending injuries.
Coach Darryl Suasua feels for Lokotui.
‘‘We very disappointed for Fotu. He was one of the most promising players at club level this year and we were expecting big things from him. It’s a real shame that his season had to end this way.’’
Cover for Lokotui will come from within the squad.
The Steelers were gutted to lose their campaign opener 20-17 and will be looking to make amends against Bay of Plenty in their first home game of the season on August 28.
‘‘It was very disappointing,’’ Suasua says.
‘‘The boys worked very hard in the pre-season and prepared well for this match. They went into the game believing they would win and were gutted not to have.
‘‘We went into the game with 12 debutants who’ve never experienced rugby at this level. They’ll be better off for the experience.’’
Steelers skipper Jimmy Tupou was also disappointed.
‘‘To be honest our discipline let us down and we didn’t take our opportunities when we got them. But we now have a 10-day turnaround and a lot of time to try and fix things.
‘‘We will definitely take some positives out of the game. North Harbour played well and took their opportunities, we just need to make sure we do the same.’’
Tupou says he’s enjoying leading the side for a second season. He says the job’s made easier because it’s a great group he is working with.
The Steelers scored two tries, the first to blind side flanker Jordan Taufua and the other to replacement prop Sione Faletau.
Kick against the Bay of Plenty at ECOLight Stadium on August 28 is at 4.35pm.
Full Mitre 10 Cup draw for
August 28 v Bay
(Home) 4.35pm
September 1 v Hawke’s Bay (Away) 7.35pm
September
(Home) 7.45pm
September
(Home) 7.35pm
September
(Away) 2.35pm
September 23 v Waikato (Home) 7.35pm
September 29 v Tasman (Away) 7.35pm
October 8 vs Otago
5.35pm
October 15 vs Canterbury (H). 9 14 18 v vs v of Plenty Wellington Taranaki Auckland (Away)