The Blues will be without the services of captain Patrick Tuipulotu for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season after he was injured during their quarter-final win over the Fijian Drua on Saturday night.
Tuipulotu was forced from the field just 20 minutes into the clash, tearing the medialligament in his right knee. The Blues confirmed he would be out for up to seven weeks which not only rules him out of the Super Rugby season, but also the start of the All Blacks’ campaign - with their first test of the year less than a month away.
While rookie lock James Thompson stepped up for the Blues, and Sam Darry is in line to return next week, Tuipulotu has been immense for the Blues this year and his absence is a major loss for the team. It’s an injury that will leave All Blacks coach Scott Robertson with some decisions to make, too, with the already limited experience at test level in the country’s locking stocks following the departure of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick now lessened again.
It’s another setback in a season in which Tuipulotu has taken every opportunity he’s had to put himself back into the All Blacks conversation. He started the campaign on the sidelines as the result of a jaw injury suffered during the Blues’ preseason trip to Japan, returning for their fifth-round win over the Crusaders.
The Blues have had to rotate their locking stocks throughout the year and have depth there, with Darry, Thompson, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre and Cameron Suafoa spending time in the role throughout the year, though Tuipulotu’s presence will be hard to replace as the side prepares for their semifinal against the Brumbies at Eden Park on Friday night.
Darry and McWhannell were both unavailable for the quarter-final against the Fijian Drua due to concussion protocols, and coach Vern Cotter said after the game the team would need to have some discussions early in the week about who they have available.
“I think Sam’s fine. He’s finished his concussion protocols so it’ll be important we have him back. McWhannell should be back in around the team as well ... there’s a few reinforcements coming in.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
