REACTION: All Black lock Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu announced Monday that he expects to be out for about ten weeks with a broken jaw, missing the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season this month.
The lock forward was injured late in the first half of a 43-7 preseason win over Japan’s Sungoliath in Tokyo on Sunday.
The 31-year-old, who has played 43 Tests for New Zealand, will require surgery after his jaw was shattered in an accidental clash of heads with a teammate.
“There was a bit of friendly fire. “I went up for a line-out, and as I came down, I got caught on the side of the jaw,” he explained after returning to Auckland on Monday.
“This is a tough blow for Patrick, especially so early in the season,” stated Blues head coach Vern Cotter.
The Blues’ second pre-season friendly against the Eagles will take place in Japan on Saturday.
On February 24, they will face Fijian Drua in Whangerei to kick off the Super Rugby season.
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