Injured Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan set for a stint on the sidelines

Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan will spend up to eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury during the drought-breaking 26-6 win over the Crusaders in the fifth round of Super Rugby Pacific.

Sullivan, 23, left the field just before the half-time siren sounded after picking up the unfortunate injury during the first half at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

After being replaced in the 41^st minute, Sky Sport’s broadcast coverage showed Sullivan sitting on the bench while pointing to his knee with a member of the Blues’ medical staff watching on.

The Blues confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Sullivan will spend roughly six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a posterior cruciate ligament injury.

“The injury occurred in the first half of the Blues vs Crusaders round five DHL Super Rugby Pacific match at Eden Park last Saturday,” a statement on the team’s social media pages reads.

“Sullivan will now undergo a period of rehab with an aim of returning for the back end of the round-robin matches in DHL Super Rugby Pacific.”

Sullivan, who has played one match for the Maori All Blacks, was replaced by Cole Forbes during the round five fixture between the two traditional New Zealand rugby rivals.

Injury update from the medical team

Can’t wait to see Zarn back out there 💙 pic.twitter.com/ml384SNHYa

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— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 26, 2024

The Blues went on to break a 10-year drought against the Crusaders at Eden Park with Ofa Tu’ungafasi and AJ Lam crossing for a try each in the space of three minutes.

Fly-half Stephen Perofeta was also supremely accurate off the boot, which was a much-improved performance following the tough night away to the Waratahs one week earlier.

The Blues are fourth on the ladder with four wins and one loss to their name, with the Chiefs and Brumbies just ahead by one competition point.

Looking to potentially work their way up the ladder, the Blues will be the away side at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon when they take on Moana Pasifika.