Electric winger Caleb Tangitau has ruptured his left Achilles and will be sidelined for up to nine months, the Highlanders confirmed on social media yesterday.
Tangitau injured himself in the dying minutes of the Highlanders’ 42-12 loss to the Chiefs on Friday.
It is a major blow for the 23-year-old, who was widely considered a chance to make his test debut for the All Blacks this year.
Tangitau’s speed and power had taken him to seven tries in 11 matches this season and he sits in the top three for clean breaks and defenders beaten.
He posted on social media — "not the way I wanted to finish the year but that’s footy man. Thanks to everyone who’s messaged, your support means everything".
Joseph told reporters he felt for the former New Zealand sevens representative.
"That’s really disappointing for him — a young winger coming in and playing really good rugby, coming in and scoring awesome tries," Joseph said.
"He’s aspiring to become an All Black and play at the highest level.
Newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was watching in the stand at Waikato Stadium.
Rennie would have also been concerned by the sight of Chiefs first five Damian McKenzie lying motionless for several seconds after being accidentally kicked while making a tackle.
Regarded as a strong prospect to be the All Blacks starting first five, the 74-test veteran McKenzie will automatically undergo a mandated 12-day stand-down period.
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes was relieved to see McKenzie in good spirits immediately after the game.
"He got a pretty decent stun there," Gibbes said.
"We took all the right precautions with him. It looked pretty bad, but they got to him pretty quick, and he’s up on his feet and talking and walking around."
The six-try performance handed the Chiefs their seventh straight win, and ninth of the campaign, with two rounds remaining.
An eighth loss leaves the Highlanders one place outside the top six who make the playoffs but probably needing other results to go their way if they are to qualify. — AFP, additional reporting Kayla Hodge
