Highlanders halfback, Aaron Smith says the intensity of Super Rugby Aotearoa is causing high injury toll.
The Highlanders have lost six players to season-ending injuries this year, with utility back Connor Garden-Bachop the latest after suffering a broken wrist.
The Crusaders have lost mid-field back Jack Goodhue for the year, the Chiefs are without captain Same Cane long term because of a shoulder injury, while the Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea is out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.
Smith has again highlighted the intensity of the competition which became a major talking point last year when COVID-19 forced the five New Zealand sides to play amongst themselves.
He says they had a lot of chat around player welfare last year, making sure the byes were set up well and feels this year they have failed with it.
The Blues will face the Highlanders at 7.05 tonight while the Chiefs will take on the Crusaders at 7.05pm tomorrow.
[Source: TVNZ]
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