Rugby: Injury ends Toeava's Super 15 season

Isaia Toeava still wants to be involved in the Blues Super 15 campaign, despite injury. Photo / Getty Images

A recurring hip injury has eliminated Blues fullback Isaia Toeava from the Super 15 campaign and put his All Black call-up in jeopardy.

Toeava has been in strong form playing all 10 matches this year but recent discomfort and a subsequent x-ray confirmed fears his Blues season was over.

"We found out that a stress fracture in his hip has returned and while it is not as bad as last time, he will need six to eight weeks of non weight-bearing exercise and then he will be free to train again," Blues coach Pat Lam revealed.

"It effectively rules him out for the rest of our season. He will be available for All Black rugby after that but it is disappointing for Ice in particular and a big loss for us as a team."

Toeava's absence will impact on his chances of an All Black call-up as he is in a multi-dimensional contest with Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Ben Smith for a fullback-utility role.

Last year Toeava had cortisone injections to cope with a hip injury but eventually the pain became too intense and he had surgery to remove a bone spur. He missed four months of the season though he managed to return for the end of year tour.

Medical advice this time suggests Toeava is not as badly affected but it is too risky for him to continue.

He follows a number of other All Blacks who are in the sick bay or have had prolonged time away from the Super 15.

Piri Weepu has missed the series as he recovers from a broken ankle and his comeback through club rugby slowed last week after he strained a hamstring.

Lock Sam Whitelock is expected to be out for nine weeks after ankle surgery, Andy Ellis perhaps two months after breaking his thumb while five eighths Colin Slade's playing return is uncertain after another broken jaw.

Last year's All Blacks on the injured list are Daniel Carter, Brad Thorn, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane.

Toeava's absence has forced Lam to rejig his backline with utility Lachie Munro picked on the wing for his first start tomorrow against the Hurricanes in Wellington. Munro has been used six times from the bench this Super 15 year as a sub or injury replacement who kicks goals.

Jared Payne moves to fill the fullback vacancy, Rene Ranger comes off the wing into centre, Munro starts and Benson Stanley slips into second five-eighths for the injured Luke McAlister.

Stanley will mark his Blues teammate from last season, Daniel Kirkpatrick, who is filling in for the injured Nonu in the one change to the Hurricanes side which beat the Reds on the buzzer last round.

The Blues won their earlier pool game with the Hurricanes 41-17 at Eden Park in a match which was tainted when Hurricanes skipper Andrew Hore was sinbinned on the touchjudge's advice.

At that stage the Blues were leading 20-17 with 15 minutes left but then scored three converted tries.

Toeava's injury means 12 of the Blues squad are unavailable with Lam forced to chose four reserves from the wider training group.

There may be a further change with Chris Lowrey's wife due to give birth to their first child any time - which means the Blues will take Steven Luatua on standby.

Meanwhile Lam said the specialists were confident Toeava had not suffered a new stress fracture. They felt it was an old injury which had been aggravated.

The remedy was to put his feet up for a while relying on swimming and other activities to maintain his fitness. He would be ready to resume rugby training in about two months.

"It is a big blow for us but these things happen in rugby and it is the next opportunity for someone to step in," Lam said.

"We talked about it as a group; when you have a game plan it is up to the individual to step in, but he [Toeava] is a big loss.

"Initially today he was very disappointed with the news but he wants to be around and help out."

Wellington, 7.35pm tomorrow

HURRICANES
Andre Taylor
Alipati Leuia
Jayden Hayward
Daniel Kirkpatrick
Hosea Gear
Aaron Cruden
Chris Eaton
Victor Vito
Jack Lam
Faifili Levave
James Broadhurst
Jason Eaton
Neemia Tialata
Andrew Hore (c)
John Schwalger

BLUES
Jared Payne
Joe Rokocoko
Rene Ranger
Benson Stanley
Lachie Munro
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Luke Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Chris Lowrey
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Tevita Mailau

Hurricanes: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Jeremy Thrush, Mark Reddish, Tyson Keats, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett.

Blues: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, James King, Sean Polwart, Chris Smylie, Aaron Bancroft, Sherwin Stowers.