The Highlanders have revealed a second significant injury following news rising halfback Dylan Pledger has been ruled out of the season.
Another pocket rocket, fullback Finn Hurley, is out for six to eight weeks with a foot injury.
Rookie sensation Pledger has been ruled out of his debut Highlanders season with a serious knee injury.
The dynamic halfback suffered a complete rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a training session.
A rehabilitation period of up to 12 months means he will be scratched from both the Highlanders and Otago squads this year.
It is a devastating blow for Highlanders fans — indeed, all followers of Super Rugby eager to see the next big thing — hoping the wondrously talented Pledger would get a chance to shine at the next level.
The King’s High School product has been on a remarkable tear of form that included two sparkling campaigns with the New Zealand under-20 team before a breakthrough NPC campaign with Otago.
At 20, he is already being widely talked of as an All Black in waiting, and with good reason.
"Incredibly disappointing to get a season-ending injury, as I was very excited about my first full season as a professional," Pledger said.
"I guess I have learned early that part of being a professional rugby player is dealing with injury.
"My energy now will be put into rehabbing as best I can so I can come back in the best possible shape. I will be able to focus a bit more on my study too."
The Highlanders would have benefited from Pledger’s lightning-quick pass, electric running game and rugby smarts, but at least they have plenty of depth at halfback.
Two-test All Black Folau Fakatava feels like the forgotten man but he is loaded with experience and talent and must still be in the wider frame for national selection in a busy year.
His back-up will be talented Taranaki utility Adam Lennox, while the likely replacement for Pledger as a third option is Southland halfback Nic Shearer, a member of the wider squad.
Hurley has had a wretched run with injury.
He announced himself on the Super Rugby stage with a sparkling performance for the Highlanders in a win over the Blues last year before suffering a quadriceps injury.
Hurley did not play for the Highlanders again, and he was limited to two appearances for Otago at the end of the NPC season.
His latest injury is a foot sprain and he is wearing a moon boot while his recovery gets under way.
The Highlanders’ No 1 fullback is Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens with cover provided by youngster Stanley Solomon and possibly sevens recruit Andrew Knewstubb.
