Rugby: Slade out for 12 months

Colin Slade. Photo / NZ Herald

Colin Slade and John Hardie are the major casualties as the Highlanders contemplate a horror injury list.

All Black first five-eighths Slade is out for up to 12 months after breaking a leg in the 33-26 defeat to the Brumbies last night, while rising flanker Hardie requires an operation on a toe.

Lock-flanker Nick Croswell is also facing six weeks on the sideline with a knee injury.
The first situation is particularly worrying for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, with Lima Sopoaga (shoulder) also unlikely to play again this season.

Slade's wretched run of injuries has included two broken jaws, a groin problem that ruled him out of the World Cup and a hernia.