Chiefs lose pair for rest of season

BIG BLOW: Johan Bardoul has fractured his ankle. PHOTO/FILE

The Gallagher Chiefs injury toll has increased with two players sustaining season-ending injuries.

Loose forward Johan Bardoul and outside back Glenn Fisiiahi will support their team from the sidelines for the Gallagher Chiefs' remaining Investec Super Rugby competition games.

Bardoul fractured his right ankle in a club rugby game last Saturday. He will be in a cast for six weeks.

Fisiiahi requires knee reconstruction following increasing problems with his knee this season.

The expected recovery time is nine months, ruling him out of rugby until 2017.

With Fisiiahi unavailable, Bay of Plenty outside back Monty Ioane has been brought in as a replacement player for the Gallagher Chiefs' remaining games. A decision around who will replace Bardoul will be made in the coming weeks.

On a lesser scale, Chase Tiatia sustained an injury to his left elbow, tearing a tendon in his arm - the injury happened while playing club rugby three weeks ago.

The estimated recovery time is eight weeks from the date of injury, meaning he could be available for the Gallagher Chiefs later in the season.