Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu’s participation in Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match against the Crusaders is in doubt after suffering an injury during their training session today in Auckland.
It wasn’t clear what happened to the All Black lock, but he needed transporting from their training field via a golf buggy.
Blues coach Vern Cotter says he did not see what led to Tuipulotu’s suspected injury.
He says it is one of those training incidents, and they will have a look.
The defending champions host the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday night after a difficult start to their season, losing four from five matches.
The Blues have a long injury list, with 12 already unavailable when Tuipulotu was named at lock yesterday.
He was scheduled to face the media today at training but didn’t attend.
The availability of their talismanic captain might not be known until hours before Saturday’s kick-off in Auckland.
Meanwhile, Tuipulotu made a miraculous recovery from a knee injury to lead his side to a resounding 41-10 victory in last year’s grand final against the Chiefs, but he could be absent as the Blues attempt to find form again.
Other key players sidelined are All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett and prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, as well as hooker Ricky Riccitelli and fullback Zarn Sullivan.
The Blues will face the Crusaders at 6.05pm Saturday.
In other matches, Moana Pasifika will host the Chiefs at 6.05pm tomorrow, the Highlanders will take on the Reds at 3.35pm Saturday, the Waratahs will play the Brumbies at 8.35pm Saturday, and the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Western Force at 6.05pm Sunday at HBF Park in Perth.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
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