A quieter week of injuries this week means we can consolidate the information to make sure every players injury news is completely up to date. Scan over the few changes this week so that you’re able to predict player comebacks or just fan girl as your favourite players get close to starting again.

Episode 10 of our weekly @FantasyXVDraft podcasts will be available from Tuesday morning (AEST) as Cargie, Harry and Nabung cast their eye over whats just been and whats to come. Get amongst it at the following places (Links to be released from Tuesday):

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Apparently Soundcloud are having an issue linking to Stitcher so the newest podcast will not be available there until the problem is solved. You can however still find the Pod on your android apps.

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Returned from Injuries in Rd 11:

Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) – Came off with what looked like some very sore ribs in Rd 6. Played his best game of the season against the Sunwolves but I can’t help but think he still didn’t look himself.
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) – Shoulder reconstruction – Came off the bench for his first run of the season, didn’t get the opportunity to have a proper crack.
Sam Lousi (Hurricanes) – Pulled Pregame Rd 9 with a shoulder injury. Came off the bench this week.
Augustine Pulu (Blues) – Came off with a foot injury six weeks ago. Was bracketed this week but then oddly played off the bench.
Kara Pryor (Blues) – Took a knock during Rd 10, started this week but did nothing.
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (Blues) – Named to start after overcoming a knee injury. Looked solid.
Joshua Goodhue (Blues) – Came off at half time Rd 9 with an AC joint injury. Started this week and looked good in the first half until he go concussed.
Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) – Wasn’t in the squad against the Jaguares a few weeks ago but played almost the full game this week. Looked the best he has all season.
Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) – Came off with a concussion in Rd 7. Pulled late from Rd 10 for the same thing but played 76 minutes off the bench this week!

Lolo Fakaosilea (Brumbies) – Played club footy with Ben Alexander last week, came off the bench in the 42 minute for Naisarani and looked big and strong.
Yu Tamura (Sunwolves) – Came back from concussion via the bench.
Shota Horie (Sunwolves) – Started after recovering from concussion but struggled to make an impact.

Travis Ismael (Bulls) – Pulled pregame with a back strain in Rd 8. Came off the bench this week.
Nicholas De Jager (Bulls) – Fractured rib in Rd 4 – came back off the bench.
Cobus Wiese (Stormers) – Tore his hamstring against the Bulls in Rd 7. Came back via the bench this week. Source here.
Seabelo Senatla (Stormers) – Tore his groin  in round 3. Back on the bench this week.
Cyle Brink (Lions) – Has a ‘nerve entrapment’ and had to come off in the 31st minute. On the bench this week.

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Nehe Milner-Skudder made his long awaited return this week. Credit Getty Images

New Injuries Rd 11:

Josh Goodhue (Blues) – Concussion
Tim Perry (Crusaders) – Hamstring injury in the 4th minute of the game. Expect Crockett to play next week.
Israel Dagg (Crusaders) – Concussion and also reinjured his same dodgy knee. Was always due to fly back to NZ this week for the birth of his 2nd child but now he also getting more scans on his knee. Robinson says hopefully “he is only out for a few weeks”. Hate to say i told you so but his knee is not right. Fingers crossed he is okay. Source here.
Taleni Seu  (Chiefs) – Limped off half an hour into the game against the Hurricanes in Rd 9. Now confirmed he has fractured his back and is out for the season.
Tiaan Falcon (Chiefs) – Hand injury, expected to return to play in the next 3-4 weeks.
Tevita Li (Highlanders) – Has flown home from the RSA tour with a foot injury. Currently waiting on scan results to see the full extent of the injury. Source here.

Jack Maddocks (Rebels) – Ruled out before the game with a rolled ankle. Expected to be fit this week. Source here.
Caleb Timu (Reds) – Ankle Syndesmosis sprain (high ankle sprain). Managed to walk off so must be a low grade injury. The commentators said after the game they are expecting him to be back after the Rd 12 bye.
Andrew Smith (Brumbies) – Came off with what we think is a shoulder injury early in the first half.
Isi Naisarani (Brumbies) – Injured his ankle late in the first half. Played on but then came off 2 minutes into the second half. He is now in doubt for their Rd 13 clash. Source here.
Chance Peni (Brumbies) – Cited for his high shot on Dagg. He has been banned for 5 rounds of Super Rugby given it is his third ban in 12 months! He won’t be available until after the June international break, so probably round 17. Source here.
James Moore (Sunwolves) – Concussion.

Tim Agaba (Bulls) – Played for the Blue Bulls last week and tore his bicep. Has had an operation and is out for four to six months/ the season. Source here.

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Likely back for this week (Rd 12):

Damien McKenzie (Chiefs) – He may have recovered from his hip injury but he has a new concern, came off with a head knock against the Reds in Rd 10. Expected back Rd 12 if they don’t choose to give him his first rest week.
Toni Pulu (Chiefs) – Shoulder injury during training before Rd 8, out for at least 2 weeks and now may be available this week.
Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) – Injured his knee in the Rd 3 pregame warm up. UPDATE before Rd 6 – He has had a clean up (arthroscopy) and is expected out for 4-6 weeks (Rd 10-12).
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) – Struggling with illness all week before Rd 11, Umaga decided to give him an All Blacks rest week. Should be back.
Jerome Kaino (Blues) – Came off in Rd 8 with a hamstring injury. Named to start this week.
Caleb Clarke (Blues) – Recovered fully from his appendicitis to start on the wing.
Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) – Broken jaw which required surgery. Almost played last week but now declared fit. Source below.
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) – Came off in the second half of Rd 7 with a hamstring tear. Declared fit this week. Source here.

Will Genia (Rebels) – Came off with a hamstring injury in Rd 9. Scans have shown it is only a grade 1 tear, not on tour so we won’t see him until Rd 12 at the earliest.
Izzy Folau (Waratahs) – Tore his hamstring early in the game against the Brums in Rd 7. Announced on twitter that he is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. Should be back this week after the bye.

Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira (Sharks) – Pulled pregame with a groin strain. The coach is hopeful he will be right for this week. Source here.
Stephan Lewies (Sharks) – Pulled pregame Rd 10, back on the bench this week.
Jeremy Ward (Sharks) – Played for the development side on the weekend so if he is going to get a spot on the bench it should be this week.
Lionel Mapoe (Lions) – Pulled midweek with a groin injury, didn’t play Rd 11. Has to pass a fitness test this week to play.
Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions) – Flew to Wellington this week after recovering from his pec muscle tear. Expected to feature this week. Source here.
Sergeal Petersen (Stormers) – Injured his MCL (knee) up for Western Province & has been sidelined for four months.  Sounds like he will be available earlier than first thought, for Rd 10. Source here.
Frans Malherbe (Stormers) – Preseason neck injury. The coach is speaking about easing him in, definitely sounds like he won’t START this week. Sounds like the coaches plan will be to rotate him with Louw much like Kitshoff and JC. Source here.
Roelof Smit (Bulls) – Recovered from his concussion so he is available for selection.
Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares) – Looked like a serious neck injury. Got his head caught on the wrong side of a tackle and then ended up being sent off on a spinal board. The source above says he suffered “bruising” and is in doubt for Rd 11. Apparently he is still a possibility to play Rd 11 although he hasn’t trained early in the week.

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Shaun Stevenson should finally make his comeback this week. Getty Images.

Ongoing Injury List:

NEW ZEALAND
Highlanders
Richard Buckman – Aggravated an old neck/ nerve injury. Update 10/4: “He is still a few weeks away”, definitely no commitment as to when we might see him again yet. Source here.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen – Shoulder injury.
Liam Squire – Fractured his thumb and will be out for up to six weeks. UPDATE 25/4 His fracture hasn’t healed properly so they have had to reset the fracture and the six weeks starts all over again! Now expected to miss the France ceremony as well. That puts his comeback around early to mid June. Source here.
Siate Tokolahi – Hyper extended his right knee getting chop tackled in Rd 10. These tackles have always been a bit suspect. Grade 2 tear to his MCL (inside ligament) has him out for an expected 4-6 weeks.

Hurricanes
The Hurricanes this year won’t play anyone that isn’t fit to play fully on Monday of the game week.
Dane Coles – ACL Start of December, return in “4-6 months” so probably getting a synthetic LARS graft. These have higher rupture rates. So he has a higher risk of reinjury and will probably be undercooked on return. AVOID.
Alex Fidow – Fractured cheek, expected back round 8-10.
Asafo Aumua – Wrist fracture I think in Rd 9, out for 12 weeks which apparently could put him back for Rd 19 so it must have been a bad one!
TJ Perenara – Ruptured his MCL in Rd 8, could be out for anywhere from 2-8 weeks. He is now running again and even just started some contact work. It sounds like he will most likely be fit for the Blues in Rd13. Source here.
Wes Goosen – Broke his jaw against the Chiefs in Rd 9. This was found on his instagram of all places. I’m assuming he will be out for 6-8 weeks similar to the other broken jaws . This could have him back anytime from Rd 15 until after the international window for Rd 17. Thanks to @eddyVN for the tip off.

Chiefs
Chiefs All Blacks all to miss the May 20th game against the Sharks while in camp.
The Chiefs this year – “There was a team policy this year to give injured players an extra week to ensure they were fully fit.”
Mitchell Graham – Out for first 6 weeks, had screws removed from old leg fracture operation. No news and no idea when he will be back.
Nepo Laulala – Fractured left forearm requiring surgery. Out for 8-12 weeks (30th April to 28th May).
Kane Hames – No real info about his “mystery illness”. But i have read that maybe it is concussion.
Sean Wainui – Came off with a shoulder injury in Rd 10. Not back for Rd 12 but he is set to go on tour in Rd 13. Source here.

Crusaders
Joe Moody  – Played club rugby coming back from his shoulder injury in Rd8. Fractured his finger through the skin which will keep him out for another 6 weeks. Source here. He should make a come back against the Blues or Hurricanes.
Kieran Read – Coming back from 2017 back surgery. Originally tipped to play in Rd 10 after their bye it is not looking very ujnlikely. Apparently now no official date can be given on his return but he may well miss the international series as well. Not good!
Tom Sanders – Injured the ankle in Rd 10 that got a pin in it in preseason. Requires another operation and is very unlikely to play again this season.

Blues
Isaac Salmon – Elbow
Alex Hodgman – Injured his arm in rd 5 and has been flown home because he “won’t be fit for this week”.  No idea when he will be back but still not fit for round 8.
Daniel Kirkpatrick – Rib injury.
Jordan Trainor – Hand injury
Melani Nanai – Rolled his ankle really early in the try fest against the Sharks in Rd 7. Had to be helped off the field, then was spotted on the sideline in a moon boot so it doesn’t look good. Likely 6 weeks plus would be my guess.
Michael Collins – Broke his hand in Rd 9. Expected out for around 5 weeks which would be Rd 14. Source here.
Blake Gibson – Shoulder injury, as of the 7th of March he was about seven weeks away. I expected him to play round 11 but still no dice!
Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Came off late with a knee injury in Rd 10. No other info yet
TJ Faiane – Out for at least two weeks with an ankle sprain. Should be back Rd 13. Source here.
Sonny Bill Williams – Fractured his wrist in rd 5. out for 6-8 weeks. Almost played Rd 12 so we will probably see him in Rd 13.

AUSTRALIA
Waratahs
Jack Dempsey – Hamstring Injury – Originally targeted a Rd 9 but the coach says he isn’t quite right so won’t be rushed. The Foxsports podcast after Rd 9 said he could be as many as another 6 weeks!

Brumbies
Lachlan McCaffrey – Came off in a world of hurt with a dislocated right elbow in Rd 8. I’d have thought he was out for a long time but word is he may only be 6 weeks. Apparently he is close to making a return in the next few weeks. Source here.
Rob Valentini – Medial ligament (knee) injury – Had surgery 28th Feb. Sounds like he should be back after the Rd 12 bye. Playing in the John I Dent cup this week. Source here.
David Pocock – Has a calf “strain” and won’t play this week. Generally the word strain is only used for really low grade injuries so he should be back after their bye next week. Source here.

Reds
Karmichael Hunt – He may be back from his drug trial but Thorn says he hasn’t being attending training for the Reds or even club footy. It sounds like his season is as good as done. Source here.
Scott Higginbotham – Had to be supported off by two people with a calf injury rd 8. No return date set but i’d be surprised if he wasn’t 4-6 weeks.
Lukhan Tui – Has a knee injury from Rd 9, going for surgery so should be out for a while. Source here.
James Slipper – Apparently was struggling with a sternoclavicular injury before Rd 10. Was battling to start the game and ended up only lasting 19 minutes. Didn’t recover in time for Rd 11 so should be back after their Rd 12 bye. Source here.
Jono Lance – Came off with concussion in Rd 10. Did not recover in time for Rd 11.

Rebels
Ben Daley – Shoulder injury, not on tour. Earliest we could see him would be Rd 12 then.
Jordan Uelese – Came off with an elbow injury in Rd 10. Expected back Rd 15.
Ross Haylett-Petty – Came off during half time with concussion in Rd 10. Expected to miss at least Rd 12.
Dane Haylett-Petty – Came back from his sickening concussion from Rd 5 but didn’t last too long before suffering another one. Didn’t recover in time for Rd 12.

SOUTH AFRICA
Sharks
Leolin Zas – Not coming back well from injury – flown to Switzerland to try and get better.
Kobus van Wyk – Came off injured after only a few minutes on the field in Rd 9.
Michael Claassens – No word yet on a return date.

Stormers
Eben Etzebeth – Shoulder nerve injury originally expected back Rd 12. UPDATE: They are now hoping he will be back for the last game before the international break, Rd 15.
Bongi Mbonambi – Burst appendix before Rd 1 – was expected to play Rd 5 but he has had a further operation and now won’t  be able to train for another 3 months! Now targeting roughly Rds 11-13.
JD Schickerling – Suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Crusaders, has been flown home from the tour. Out for four months so will be back after the international window.
Juarno Augustus – progressing well from a long term injury.
Justin Phillips – Broke 2 ribs in Rd 7 and will miss 6 weeks. Surely he will be the 3rd choice half back by then.
Jan de Klerk – cracked his ribs in Rd 9. Close to a return in Rd 12, but more likely the following week.
Jano Vermaak – Cracket rib Rd 10. Could have played Rd 12 but they chose to give him an extra week. Source here.

Lions
Courtnall Skosan – ACL in January – Said to be back after their Australasian tour for rd 14.
Ross Cronje – Rib injury. Thought to be cleared to tour with the team but has now been left at home, we won’t see him until Rd 14.
Warren Whiteley – Left knee Grade 2 PCL injury in Rd 4. Originally named for Rd 10 but apparently felt a click during training on Monday and then his knee swelled up over night. Now pulled from the match day side and seeing an orthopaedic knee surgeon. My gut feeling is it sounds like he tore his meniscus, he could well go for a small op and be out for 2-6 weeks! Source 19/4 here. My suspicions were confirmed today when Whiteley was sent home.

Bulls
Ruan Steenkamp – Knee – back mid feb? No news is coming out..
Franco Naude – Undergone shoulder surgery and will be out for four months from Rd 2 –
Roughly Rd 15.
Hanro Liebenberg – Injured his knee in Rd 9, sounds like an MCL injury. Getting scans this week, expected to be out for 6-8 weeks so he won’t return until after the international break. Source here.
Pierre Schoeman – Not technically an injured but he has been cited for allegedly biting a Rebels player. UPDATE 24/4: Banned for six weeks! Source here.
Jannes Kirsten – Expected back towards the end of May from a nerve injury.
Marnitz Boshoff – 1/05/18: Recovering well from his meniscus surgery.
Jamba Ulengo – Ongoing Patella Tendon issue- Training with the squad since before Rd 10. They will be very careful with quickly they have to load him up with running so it could be a while until we see him.
Ruan Steenkamp – Has completed his rehabilitation and should be available for selection for the Challenge Cup team for Rd 11.

ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Jaguares
Tomás Cubelli – Fractured neck vertebra,Played with the Argentina XV team for week 10 of Super Rugby so should be back soon.
Matías Moroni – Shoulder operation – didn’t go on tour but has said in a video that he will be ready after their tour. This means we should see him in Rd 14. Source here.
Pablo Matera – Suffered a shoulder “sprain and bicep tendon injury” just before half time Rd 10. He is expected to be out for 2-3 months meaning he will miss the June internationals and play from Rd 17 at the earliest, or even miss the rest of the season. Source here.

Sunwolves
Shinya Makabe – Sprained ankle. No word on a return date.
Gerhard Van Den Heever – Groin pain – being managed.
Jason Emery – Surgery for a broken thumb on Thursday 1st March out for 8-10 weeks.
Keita Inagaki – Out for 4-6 weeks from Rd 9 with a knee injury. Source here.
Kotaro Matsushima – Listed on their website as concussed before Rd 10. Apparently he has not recovered so they have flown him home from NZ so we may see him for their next home game in Rd 13.
Willie Britz – Surprisingly had been asked to play for Japan A in Rd 10, copped a concussion and has now been sent home from the tour. Maybe back in Rd 13 but it sounds like he isn’t being considered a starter with the good form of their loose forwards.

OUT FOR THE SEASON:

Otere Black (Blues) – ACL reconstruction
Matt Johnson (Blues) – Season ending injury. No further information
Scott Scrafton (Blues) – This isn’t a new injury but its news to us! Scrafton has been ruled out for the season with an ACL tear.
Glenn Preston (Blues)– Groin injury, out for the season.
George Moala (Blues) – Pec muscle strain that will keep him out for the season. I assume that means he is having an operation to repair it.
Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) – Retired due to concussion
Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) – Injured shoulder in final trial against Brumbies – having surgery and will be out for the season.
Atu Moli (Chiefs) – Had a complication with a quad haematoma which required surgery. Ruled out for the season.
Mitchell Brown (Chiefs) – Ruptured ACL after round 5, had an operation and out for the season.
Dominic Bird (Chiefs) – Ruled out for the season after having an operation on his shoulder.
Fin Hoeata (Chiefs) – His shoulder needs a reconstruction so he will be out for the season.
Aidan Ross (Chiefs) – Broke his ankle and had to be stretchered off the field. Gone for the season.
Sam McNicol (Chiefs) – Recurrent Concussions – now ruled out for the season.
Ben Funnell (Crusaders) – Tore his ACL against the Sunwolves in Rd 10. Out for the season.
Oli Jager (Crusaders) – Hurt his shoulder during training before the Lions game (Rd 7). Now decided to have a reconstruction (Rd 11) so won’t play again this season.

Quade Cooper (Reds) – unwanted by reds but still contracted – unlikely to see him play this season.
Nick Frisby (Reds) – His services will not be needed.
Markus Vanzati (Reds) – His services will not be needed.
Ben McCalman (Waratahs) – 4th Fractured Scapula (Shoulder blade) in 2 years, Waratahs want a medical before signing him. Looks like they didn’t end up signing him.
Josh Mann-Rea (Brumbies) – Tore his hamstring off the bone in round 4, has now had surgery and will be out for the season.

Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) – ACL reconstruction
Jaco Kriel (Lions) – Off season shoulder op – was expected back for Rd 4 but reinjured his shoulder, is having ANOTHER operation and is expected out for a further six months! Looks like he is done for the season.
Rudy Paige (Bulls) – cut from the squad
Enrique Pieretto (Jaguares) – ACL Reconstruction

Have we missed something? Drop a comment or tweet and let us know.

Written by Harrison Dale