Latest news with #AsafoAumua
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Hurricanes lose All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua for Super Rugby playoff
Asafo Aumua won't play the Brumbies this weekend. Photo: Photosport The Hurricanes will be without All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua for Saturday night's Super Rugby qualifying final against the Brumbies in Canberra. Aumua was named to start on Wednesday but on Thursday he was ruled out with the Hurricanes confirming he has a hamstring injury and won't travel to Australia. Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT He has now been replaced by Jacob Devery, with Raymond Tuputupu remaining on the bench. Aumua, the Hurricanes co-captain, copped a blow to the knee at the team's training on Tuesday at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt. He had to be transported away from training on a cart. The All Blacks front rower didn't play in last Saturday night's 64-12 win over Moana Pasifika in Wellington due to concussion. The latest injury puts him in doubt for the rest of the finals should the Hurricanes progress. Despite the blow, the Hurricanes are only thinking about winning as they prepare for this weekend's first round of finals. The fourth placed Hurricanes travel to Canberra, while top qualifier the Chiefs host the Blues and second seeds the Crusaders play the Reds. The schedule has the Brumbies-Hurricanes game last. If results go to seedings in the earlier games and the Chiefs beat the Blues and the Crusaders beat the Reds, then the Brumbies and Hurricanes will play each other knowing that no matter what the result they will both qualify for the semi-finals. Under a new format this season, the highest ranking loser from the three games will qualify for the semi-finals. Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said earlier this week that the 'lucky loser' situation is not something he is thinking about. "If the Crusaders lose and we win, we got a home semi so there's another scenario we might have to think about," Laidlaw said. "I've never gone into a game of rugby thinking we might want to lose, so it will be all guns blazing and we'll get ready for it.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific play-offs: Chiefs spring surprise
Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Asafo Aumua is back for the Hurricanes for their play-off match against the Brumbies. It's a significant boost for the in form Canes, with Raymond Tuputupu backing him up on the bench and Jacob Devery dropping out of the squad. Caleb Delany comes back in at lock alongside Zach Gallagher, and Ngane Punivai is on the bench. Brett Cameron and Ruben Love once again start, which means Callum Harkin stays on the bench and also that there is plenty of cover at first five. The Chiefs have brought back Simon Parker into the loose forwards for their feature match against the Blues, however it's at the expense of Wallace Sititi. Samipeni Finau starts on the blindside, which is an interesting reshuffle given that Parker has been playing there most of the season however this time will be wearing the number eight jersey. Other than that it's a mostly unchanged Chiefs lineup, Cortez Ratima swapping places with Xaver Roe at halfback from last weekend. Only one change to the Blues, with Adrian Choat coming into the starting team at blindside, Anton Segner drops to the bench. Meanwhile, the Crusaders have reverted back to their strongest possible lineup, with David Havili back in to lead the side against the Reds on Friday night. David Havili and Tom Christie celebrate during the Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress Crusaders v Reds Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 6 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs dives to score a try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Chiefs v Blues Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Etene Nanai-Seturo Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT Brumbies v Hurricanes Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 7 June GIO Stadium, Canberra Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Caleb Delany, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Brett Cameron, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Ruben Love Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Ngatungane Punivai, 23. Callum Harkin
RNZ News
7 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Hurricanes hit by injury scare ahead of Super Rugby finals
Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT The Hurricanes could be without All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua for the first round of the Super Rugby playoffs after he suffered an injury at training. The Hurricanes co-captain copped a blow to the knee at the team's training on Tuesday at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt. Asafo Aumua, right, is under an injury cloud. Photo: Photosport Aumua had to be transported away from training on a cart and the Hurricanes will now be sweating on his fitness ahead of Saturday's first round playoff clash with the Brumbies in Canberra. The All Blacks front rower didn't play in last Saturday night's 64-12 win over Moana Pasifika in Wellington due to concussion. The latest injury puts him in doubt for the finals. The Hurricanes were putting a positive spin on the injury. "I think he did a couple of runs over there and got tired and wanted a ride back," assistant coach Cory Jane said. "Hopefully it's not too bad." Last week's starting hooker Jacob Devery and Raymond Tuputupu are set to play if Aumua is ruled out. The Hurricanes name their side at 4pm on Wednesday.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby: Hurricanes hit by Covid in chase for playoff berth
Photo: PHOTOSPORT Last week's bye came with a Covid outbreak for the Hurricanes, but they're confident it won't hinder their quest to secure a place in the Super Rugby finals. The sixth-placed side were hit hard by the virus following their win over the Chiefs earlier this month, with multiple players and coaches spending the bye week stuck at home. The Hurricanes Bailyn Sullivan in action. Photo: Photosport Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua said most of the players were back training ahead of Friday's match against the Highlanders in Wellington. "Quite a few of us had Covid, so a few of us were quite crook," Aumua said. Assistant coach Jamie Mackintosh believed the timing of the outbreak was a silver lining. "Every team gets sickness, and as coach I'm happy it was last week and not this week." The Hurricanes host the Highlanders on Friday night in a crucial game for both sides. The Hurricanes likely need at least two wins from their last three games to secure a playoff berth. A loss would end the Highlanders' slim hopes of reaching the finals. Aumua was adamant the Hurricanes would not be at a disadvantage because of the sickness. "It was more the front end of the week, so that was good. We could start getting into our remote training by ourselves at the back end and it didn't really affect us too much." Ryan Louwrens of the Melbourne Rebels and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes (R). Photo: Photosport The Hurricanes were coming off a draw with the Force, and back-to-back wins over top three sides the Brumbies and Chiefs. Mackintosh felt the team was finding form at the right time of year. "It was a nice time to have a break. A lot of effort went into the last block, particularly with that travel to Australia. "It was a wonderful way to finish. We needed two big games against the Brumbies and Chiefs to get our season back on track and to play the way we did, hopefully instilled some confidence heading into this next block." The Hurricanes' form coincided with the return of some of their top players, many of whom were missing in the early rounds. All Blacks fullback Ruben Love's shift to first-five has proven a success, and All Black Billy Proctor's return to the midfield has improved the Hurricanes backline markedly. "We had a ton of injuries at the start of the year but you can start to see the combinations click, and we're very fortunate to have some guys coming back from injury," Mackintosh said. Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress The Highlanders will be striving to keep their season alive and Mackintosh, a former Highlanders and Southland player, knows the visitors will be tough to beat in Wellington. "Grew up down there. Played a lot of my rugby down there. The way they're coached, they will bring a whole lot of intent and physicality. "It's a huge game for both teams. Mathematically, the Highlanders are still a chance and we know that we need at least two or maybe three wins from our last three games to secure our place in the playoffs. "It's going to be two desperate teams out there." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
