Possible All Blacks blow as Hurricanes star follows Cam Roigard in being sidelined
Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua.
The Hurricanes are sweating over the fitness of All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua after he sustained a knee injury during their 38-15 victory over Fijian Drua in Suva on Friday.
The 26-year-old is set to have scans on Monday which will reveal the full extent of the damage.
Lasted only 12 minutes
Aumua, who has been in excellent form for the Wellington-based outfit, came off the bench in the 49th minute but only lasted 12 minutes before he was forced off the field with James O’Reilly, who started in the number two jersey, coming back on to replace him.
It is still unclear how exactly the 26-year-old sustained the injury but he was in obvious pain and two of the Hurricanes‘ trainers had to help him off the field.
The Hurricanes, who are the only unbeaten team left in Super Rugby Pacific, are already without the services of All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in their win over the Highlanders in Dunedin last month.
The men from Wellington’s next match is against the Brumbies in Canberra and they are preparing to take on their Australian rival without Aumua.
“We’re not really too sure [what happened to Aumua],” captain Brad Shields told Stuff. “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.
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“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 we’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.”
Drua were on the attack in the 61st minute when Aumua stumbled while dropping back to defend, and was seen clutching his left knee while lying on the ground.
Aumua tried to shake off the pain by lifting his knee before the referee blew for a penalty and the Hurricanes’ medical staff was then allowed come on to the field to treat him.
Shortly after that, Aumua, who has made six Test appearances for New Zealand, was assisted off the field and he had a painful expression on his face while heading to the sidelines.
In excellent form
Aumua, who is a superb ball carrier, made his last Test appearance in 2021 but has been in excellent form this season and was hoping for a recall to the All Blacks squad.
If he is to spend some time on the sidelines, the Hurricanes’ squad depth will be tested as O’Reilly is the only other fit hooker in their camp as Jacob Devery is also ruled out due to injury.