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Ngani Laumape among injury concerns for Hurricanes following shock victory over Crusaders

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes shocked Super Rugby Aotearoa on Saturday with a tense 34-32 victory over the Crusaders to end a four-year, 36-match winning streak by the reigning Super Rugby champions in Christchurch.

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The win has seemingly come at a cost, though, as the Wellington franchise may be without some of their top stars for the remainder of the competition.

Perhaps the most pressing concern will be the second half substitution of in-form midfielder Ngani Laumape after he sustained what appeared to be an arm injury.

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His injury-enforced replacement followed the first half substitution of prop Fraser Armstrong, who looked to have gone down with a shoulder problem.

The duo’s injuries come after starting tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax was a late scratching from the game, as were bench forward Isaia Walker-Leawere and Vaea Fifita.

Speaking to media in the wake of his side’s momentous win, Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland revealed he didn’t yet know how significant the injuries to Laumape and Armstrong were, although there are fears the former has broken his wrist.

“To be honest we were battling during the week,” Holland said of his squad’s physical fatigue.

“We spent the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday recovering this week from a big Blues game so it needs some thinking about because we need our bodies right. We need to make sure that the boys don’t have short careers.”

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The Hurricanes’ bye week, then, has come at the right time for Holland’s men as they now trail the Crusaders by just three points on the competition standings with a game in hand.

“There are a lot of battered bodies there and we’ll enjoy the few days off physically, but also mentally and switch off, it’s important.

“We’ve got to make sure that we come back with the same mentality and the same mindset around how we’re going to approach the last couple of weeks and put as much pressure on the Crusaders at the top of the table as we can.”

With only two more games to play – against the Chiefs in Wellington and Highlanders in Dunedin – there are few opportunities remaining for the Hurricanes to overtake the Crusaders and push for the Super Rugby Aotearoa title.

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Holland, however, admires how his side have overturned a 0-2 start to the campaign and have moved themselves into title contention.

“We were none and two probably a month ago and the boys came together and got tight and made sure that we lived our values a little bit,” he said.

“We still haven’t finished on what we’re trying to do this season so getting the win down here is great and we’ll enjoy that, but we’ve got a few more weeks to go and we’ll continue to grow our game.”

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R
RedWarrior 36 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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