Worries for All Black pair after Blues win over Tahs

The Blues left Eden Park with a big win over the flailing Waratahs but with injury concerns over two All Blacks that head coach Leon MacDonald described as ‘significant’.

Fullback Stephen Perofeta left the field with a shoulder injury after 28 minutes of play while prop Nepo Laulala was replaced on the stroke of half time with a calf issue.

“Both look relatively significant,” MacDonald said of the injuries.

“Stevie felt his shoulder move a little bit … and I think he’s done something to that shoulder in the past. And Neps’ calf doesn’t look 100% great either.”

Despite the doubts over Perofeta and Laulala, MacDonald confirmed that the Blues were expecting Dalton Papalii and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return from injuries this week for the trip to Fiji.

The All Blacks will be hoping that the new concerns aren’t as serious as first thought with a growing injury toll in the front row stocks.

Crusaders’ prop George Bower ruptured his ACL against the Reds in Brisbane which has ruled him out of action for the rest of the year.

Fletcher Newell will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season but Ian Foster confirmed his timeline for return is before the Rugby World Cup, leaving the door open for Newell to play Test rugby this year.

Chiefs tighthead Angus Ta’avao is still recovering from a neck injury suffered in last year’s NPC. Blues prop Alex Hodgman has been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.

In other round nine fixtures, the Chiefs came away unscathed with no All Blacks injury concerns while capped pair Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i continued to return to action off the bench.

The Crusaders were boosted by the continued returns of Cullen Grace and Jack Goodhue, who had cameos off the bench, while David Havili starred in the midfield after his first start since his injury against the Drua.

Will Jordan and Anton Lienert-Brown’s returns are expected in the coming rounds of Super Rugby.

All Blacks injury list after nine rounds of Super Rugby Pacific:

Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Alex Hodgman

Chiefs: Angus Ta’avao, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea,

Crusaders: George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Ethan Blackadder

Highlanders: Folau Fakatava

Hurricanes: TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron