Double injury blow for Highlanders

The Highlanders have suffered a double injury blow before the crunch game against the Crusaders on Saturday.

No 10 Josh Ioane has again been ruled out due to a groin injury, while young wing Sam Gilbert has suffered an ACL injury and will be out of action of nine months.

‘‘Josh is probably unlikely to be available this week,’’ Highlanders attack coach Tony Brown said yesterday. ‘‘He’s still got a bit of a groin issue.’’

Ioane’s unavailability means Mitch Hunt is likely to run the cutter against his former side in the South Island derby, with Michael Collins firming as the likely fullback option.

‘‘We’ve tried a couple of young guys [at fullback] over the last couple of games,’’ Brown said.

‘‘We just need a bit of stability back there, someone who can connect the wings and back three together, so we’ll probably go for a bit more experience at the back.’’

Gilbert landed awkwardly after taking a high pass against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, and immediately left the paddock in pain.

The young wing now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Brown hinted he could yet return for the Highlanders next year.

‘‘Sam has unfortunately torn his ACL and he’ll be out for nine months,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s

amassive

blow

to

his aspirations I suppose and frustrations for us, but we’ll move on.’’

Brown said no decision had been made yet on whether the Highlanders would seek a replacement for Gilbert in Super Rugby Aotearoa. However, he ruled out a move for former All Blacks wing Julian Savea, who has returned to New Zealand after not being offered a contract extension at French club Toulon.

At fullback, youngster Scott Gregory struggled against the Blues, and Brown said the Northland product and Otago’s Vilimoni Koroi had both failed to grab the Highlanders’ No 15 jersey in the first two games of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

‘‘It’s pretty ruthless in competition,’’ Brown said.

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