Taranaki receives double injury blow

Taranaki rugby received a double injury blow yesterday -- captain and lock Paul Tito is out for the final two games of the NPC first division season and fullback James Hilgendorf will miss one, possibly both.

Tito has his left hand in plaster after breaking his thumb in the 10-26 loss to Otago in Dunedin on Saturday, his side's fifth loss from seven matches this season.

The 90-game veteran will miss Taranaki's final two NPC games, against North Harbour in Albany on Saturday and Wellington in New Plymouth on October 7.

It's the first time Tito has missed an NPC first division match since his first season with Taranaki in 1997.

Hilgendorf will miss the North Harbour match and is in doubt for the final game after damaging knee ligaments on Saturday.

"It's a rotten way to end the season," Tito said.

"We've got two tough games to finish. It sucks really. I guess I'll be water girl or something for the last two."

Tito said he would probably be in plaster for five or six weeks.

Coach Kieran Crowley was also lamenting the loss of two important players.

"It's not a good time to have injuries, both are experienced players. A couple of other guys will have to step up," he said.

Crowley said the obvious options at lock were Jason Eaton and Scott Breman, along with Brendon McGlashan, while veteran prop Gordon Slater would take over the captaincy for the final two games.

The options at fullback were switching Scott Ireland from wing or promoting Brendan Watt from the bench.

Crowley will name his team to play North Harbour today.

- NZPA