The All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder is facing another spell on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in the Hurricanes’ 23-19 Super Rugby victory over the Blues in Auckland.
Milner-Skudder, named as World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2015 after he helped the All Blacks to World Cup victory, fell awkwardly in a tackle and then had Blues number eight Akira Ioane fall on his left shoulder.
He immediately left the field, cradling his arm and had it supported in a sling while sitting with his team mates as the Hurricanes produced an impressive defensive effort after the hooter to record their first win of the season.
Milner-Skudder had to pass a late fitness test for the game at Eden Park after a knee injury kept him out of the Hurricanes’ 17-16 loss to the champion Highlanders last week.
The 25-year-old was not the only injury concern for last year’s beaten finalists with his fellow All Black, winger Julian Savea, limping badly late in the game and having to come off.
Leni Apisai, the third-choice hooker for the team, was also subbed midway through the first half.
Team captain Dane Coles, the All Blacks hooker, and Samoa international Motu Matu’u are both battling calf injuries.
Loose forward Brad Shields also only lasted a little over 20 minutes before leaving with a thumb injury while prop Reg Goodes was substituted at half-time following a head clash.
The Hurricanes play their first game at home next Friday when they host the Western Force in Palmerston North.