Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

All Blacks star suffers significant injury blow

Aaron Smith. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)

All Blacks and Highlanders star halfback Aaron Smith has been ruled out of action for four to six weeks due to an ankle injury.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 30-year-old sustained the injury late in the Highlanders’ 33-26 defeat to the Blues in Auckland last weekend.

The loss of the 82-test veteran comes at a difficult time in the season for the Dunedin-based franchise.

The club have not won a match since their tight 36-31 win over the Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium over a month ago, and have endured three consecutive away losses to the Rebels, Hurricanes and Blues.

A chance to overturn their dismal run of form against the Crusaders in a home derby two weeks ago was robbed as the match was cancelled due to the Christchurch terror attacks.

Both teams shared two competition points in a result that has been officially registered as a 0-0 draw, but a lack of wins leaves the Highlanders outside of a play-offs position, sitting in ninth place with 13 points to their name.

They are on par with the seventh-placed Bulls and eighth-placed Rebels in terms of competition points, but their negative points difference is denying them a spot in the top eight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Smith’s absence for at least the next month will not help the Highlanders’ bid for victory, particularly with a run of four New Zealand derbies in their next five matches.

Back-up halfbacks Kayne Hammington and teenager Folau Fakatava will be called upon to fill the void left by Smith, while former Crusaders halfback Jack Stratton has been drafted into the squad as an injury replacement.

The Highlanders have the bye this week before they host the Hurricanes next Friday.

Watch – Raelene Castle on Sunwolves axing:

ADVERTISEMENT

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Why Freddy Douglas has played for Scotland before Edinburgh Why Freddy Douglas has played for Scotland before Edinburgh
Search