Blues trio suffer injuries in pre-season defeat

The Blues have suffered an early season season setback after loose forwards Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Tupou and Dalton Papali'i all suffered injuries in the Blues preseason clash against the Hurricanes.

The trio left the Mahurangi Rugby Club field in the first half and the extent of the injuries were not readily available to head coach Tana Umaga afterwards.

He was worried enough to pull fellow loose forwards Murphy Taramai and Akira Ioane from the line of fire in case they too were injured.

Veteran All Black Kaino and the tall, athletic Tupou would have been almost certain starters for the Blues' first match of the new Super Rugby season against the Highlanders in Dunedin next Friday but Kaino, his left knee already heavily strapped, must be a considerable doubt in particular. Tupou also appeared to injure a leg but it was not immediately known what Papali'i's issue was.

"As we know, it's not good when they come off," Umaga said. "It's an area where we are a bit thin at at the moment."

Blake Gibson had already signalled he would miss the start of the season through injury but fellow loose forward Antonio Kirikiri could be available, Umaga said, as he surveyed his options.

Full story via nzherald.co.nz