Star Hurricanes midfielder Ngnai Laumape has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season with injury.
Laumape suffered a suspected broken left wrist early in the second half during the Hurricanes' 34-32 win over Crusaders on Saturday night.
"Not the way I wanted to go out this year for Super Rugby Aotearoa but I'm not done yet for 2020," says Laumape.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said Laumape will require surgery, alonside prop Fraser Armstrong, who left the field early in the first half against the Crusaders.
"Both Nang and Fraser have fractures, " says Holland. "Both will need operations."
Holland said he was unsure how long Laumape will be sidelined for, but expects him to be out of action until Novmember.
The shock win over the Crusaders keeps the Hurricanes in the running for the Super Rugby Aotearoa title.
They are third in the standings, one point behind the second-placed Blues and three behind the table-topping Crusaders, who have a game in hand.
The Hurricanes have their second bye week coming up and Holland said it is a good time for his players to freshen up.
"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," Holland said on Saturday night.
"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."
Join us next weekend for live updates of Super Rugby Aotearoa
