Canes’ nervous wait for Aumua
There are growing fears the Hurricanes may have suffered another major injury blow.
In-form hooker Asafo Aumua was set for scans yesterday to reveal the full extent of the damage after he was forced off the field with a suspected knee injury during their gutsy 38-15 win over the Fijian Drua.
The incident happened less than 10 minutes after the team’s vice captain had entered the game as a second-half replacement.
It was unclear what exactly happened to Aumua to cause the injury but he was in obvious discomfort and had to be assisted off the field by two trainers.
The Hurricanes have already lost All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard to a season-ending knee injury.
The Super Rugby Pacific leaders are preparing to be without Aumua when they travel to Canberra to play the Brumbies on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re not really too sure [what happened to Aumua],” captain Brad Shields said.
“He was pretty sore and he’s pretty gutted. He’s a tough man and he doesn’t like to show [any pain] but we’re feeling for him.
“It’s a similar situation to Cam and while it’s slightly different injuries, nonetheless when you can’t be a part of the team it’s pretty gutting.
“I know he’ll do everything he can to come back in better shape and as quickly as he can but we will make sure we rally behind him.”
“I know he’ll do everything he can to come back in better shape and as quickly as he can but we will make sure we rally behind him.” Hurricane captain Brad Shields
With the Drua hot on attack, Aumua was getting back into position to defend the next phase, only to stumble and clutch at his left knee. He could be seen lifting his knee in an attempt to shake off the pain before the referee blew for a penalty, allowing Hurricanes medical staff to come on and treat him.
That proved to be his final involvement in the game. Aumua was assisted off the field and winced with pain as he made his way to the sideline.
An explosive ball-carrier with the speed of a back, Aumua has been an instrumental figure in the Hurricanes’ unbeaten start, scoring three tries in their first eight matches.
He put in a spectacular performance against the Chiefs in the previous round and has been banging down the door for a long-awaited All Blacks recall.
If Aumua was to miss any action, it would really test the Hurricanes’ depth at hooker following the retirement of their greatest-ever No 2, Dane Coles.
With Jacob Devery’s season already cut short by injury, it would leave O’Reilly as the only fit hooker from the three that were originally named in the Hurricanes squad for 2024.
Raymond Tuputupu is part of the wider training squad but the 21-year-old has not been seen on the Super Rugby field since he famously made his Hurricanes debut in 2022 after receiving a last-minute call-up and making a mad dash from Palmerston North to Wellington on game day.
The Hurricanes will name their team to play the Brumbies tomorrow.