Big blow as Highlanders lose Dickson
All Blacks hopeful Josh Dickson’s Super Rugby Aotearoa season is over.
The Highlanders have revealed that the big lock broke a fibula in the 40-20 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday, and now faces four months on the sidelines.
‘‘He broke his leg, so we’ve brought Geoff
Cridge into the squad to cover that,’’ Highlanders skills coach Riki
Flutey said yesterday.
The injury will be a bitter blow to both the Highlanders and Dickson, who has won more lineouts than anyone in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Dickson’s form would have seen him come into contention for the South side in the North v South clash, and it has been well documented that New Zealand’s stocks at lock are a bit thin.
His loss will put the heat on lock Pari Pari Parkinson to build on his promising start to Super Rugby Aotearoa.
‘‘Josh has been outstanding, and he’s been leading off the field,’’ Flutey said.
‘‘He’s been running our forwards, and on the field he’s been playing really well.’’
Dickson, 25, was stretchered off the field after just 16 minutes on Saturday and was in obvious pain. The Otago product’s unlucky injury was the result of some friendly fire, as a stray boot of a teammate caught him on the lower leg.
In his absence, the Highlanders are likely to turn to Jack Whetton against the Hurricanes on Sunday.
Whetton, who put in a big shift against the Crusaders, has a strong appreciation of the set-piece and is regarded by the Highlanders’ coaches as a powerful lock at scrum time.
Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit is also available to face the Hurricanes.
Cridge is a 2m lock who plays for Hawke’s Bay and has previously been part of the Hurricanes’ squad.
The 25-year-old represented New Zealand at under-20 level but injuries have held back his career so far.
Dickson won’t be the only Highlander to miss the Hurricanes game. Nehe Milner-Skudder is still unavailable as he works his way back from his shoulder woes, and the timeline for his Highlanders debut remains unclear.
First five-eighth Josh Ioane is also doubtful due to his groin injury, while Ngatungane Punivai suffered a concussion against the Crusaders and may also miss the fixture in Wellington. Ioane had been making good progress but felt a twinge in his groin early last week and with Mitch Hunt in good form at No 10 the Highlanders aren’t likely to rush him.
The Highlanders will face a Hurricanes side that will be brimming with confidence after a tough win against the Chiefs last Sunday.
‘‘The Hurricanes played awesome,’’ Flutey said. ‘‘They’ve got attacking threats right through the field. [Ngani] Laumape, [TJ] Perenara, [Jordie] Barrett . . . they are creating lots of opportunities and have the ability to score tries from set piece.
‘‘A big focus for us is our defence and nailing the opportunities that we get.’’
Worryingly, the Highlanders are yet to score a try in the final 20 minutes of their three Super Rugby Aotearoa games.
They have a relative lack of firepower out wide and Flutey also acknowledged that calm heads were needed in key points during games.
‘‘It’s just having a bit of composure in certain moments,’’ Flutey said.