The Hurricanes Super 12 rugby campaign has got off to a disastrous start.
On a weekend when New Zealand rugby was again given a bloody nose, with the Blues losing to the Brumbies, and Crusaders thumped by the Waratahs, the Hurricanes fared the worst. Not only did they lose 19-7 to the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night, but they also lost two key players.
When the squad flew out to South Africa on Saturday, first five-eighth David Holwell and number eight Rodney So’oialo were left behind.
So’oialo has ligament damage in a foot while Holwell broke a hand and hurt ribs. Both will be out for four weeks, missing the South African leg comprising games against the Bulls in Pretoria next Sunday and the Stormers in Cape Town a week later. Blindside flanker Jerry Collins also reinjured his left shoulder but is expected to play in South Africa.
Those games were always going to be tough but, given the injury toll from Hamilton and the manner of that loss, they are now daunting.
The Hurricanes were not helped when the Bulls lost 23-18 to the Sharks on Saturday. They will be even more desperate to win next weekend. The absence of Holwell will be keenly felt in Pretoria. Meanwhile, Holwell and So’oialo have been replaced in the 26-strong squad for South Africa by wing Roy Kinikinilau and loose forward Thomas Waldrom. – Sapa-NZPA