Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Extent of Quinn Tupaea's injury revealed as Swain cited for dangerous clean out

Quinn Tupaea. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has revealed the extent of Quinn Tupaea’s injury suffered against the Wallabies in Melbourne last night.

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Black midfielder will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured medial cruciate ligament (MCL) as well as a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee.

The injury occurred during Thursday night’s Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne after a targetted clean out by Wallaby lock Darcy Swain, who has since been cited for the play.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

Ian Foster stated in his post game press conference that Tupaea would get a scan, and shared his thoughts on the play:

“It looked dangerously like an ACL, which is a very very significant long term injury,” he told media.

“We’ve got a big issue with it (the play by Swain), we’ve got a player who’s probably going to be out for nine months.”

“You’re not allowed to target legs on the side and clean out past the ball. The rules are pretty clear.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Tupaea was securing the All Blacks ball at a ruck when Swain threw his shoulder into Tupaea’s leg, forcing the Chiefs star’s leg to twist.

 

Swain received a yellow card for his actions, although Wallaby coach Dave Rennie clarified there was no intent in the clean out in his post game comments.

“It was certainly nothing intentional.” Rennie said post match.

Related

Ian Foster again fronted press Friday morning and announced the results of the scan amongst other updates.

Swain’s citing means he will face a judicial hearing with a potential ban the outcome.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tupaea was injected into the match early after a head knock to starting No 12 David Havili, who is also under an injury cloud heading into the return clash in Auckland.

David Havili is unlikely to play in next weekend’s follow up test at Eden Park after suffering a concussion in Melbourne, he will join captain Sam Cane in going through concussion protocols over the next week.

The injuries to the two midfielders could see a call up for Auckland’s Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who debuted in July against Ireland but has returned to NPC duties to get game time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
R
Ruaan 923 days ago

Crikey... how's that not intentional? What else could you expect the result to be when you target a player's lower leg/knee like that, with force and from the side? Terrible luck for Tupaea.

A
Andrew 923 days ago

Rennies credibility is slumping with his defence of Swain who has serious form for thuggery. The evidence of intent to injure was clear.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
MS 27 minutes ago
Andy Farrell answers burning Owen Farrell Lions question

I can understand negotiations for Kinghorn, White, and Ribbans. All three are playing very, very well at the current time. Kinghorn has been a leading contended for some time now; Ribbans looks as powerful as he’s ever been; while on the evidence of the most recent Six Nations, White benches behind JGP at Scrumhalf.


However, noone in their right mind should be considering Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, nor Owen Farrell. Sinckler looks unfit and can barely move around the field with any great urgency. He would be a liability on tour to Australia. Lawes is clearly ‘enjoying life’ in ProD2, and his rugby looks every bit second tier level now.


As for Farrell, not only has he been plagued by poor form and injury since moving to Racing, even the much vaunted ‘kicking record’ has long since been debunked as a USP with a percentage that simply does not stand up to scrutiny. That leaves only the intangible (desperate…) claim he would add ‘leadership’, which in a Lions squad resplendent with talent and international caps is I’m afraid, much like Farrell, a complete non-starter.


Willis is the elephant in the room…a leader and standout option for one of the best club teams in the World. Yet still a relative unknown at Test Match level. I could well see him being included on the tour - and it would prove quite the headache for the RFU if he delivers. But Back Row is so competitive across all three positions, and with genuine World Class talent there too. I’m just not sure the Lions need him.

2 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ ‘You feel the interest, that motivates you too’: Guido Petti wooed by Quins' personal touch ‘You feel the interest, that motivates you too’: Guido Petti wooed by Quins' personal touch
Search