Bay Of Plenty hit by string of pre-season injuries

1.00pm

Centre Allan Bunting may miss a large chunk of the NPC after another horror day of injuries for the Bay of Plenty rugby team.

Bunting rolled on his ankle at training yesterday and broke a bone in his foot as the side prepared for their match with second division Hawke's Bay in Napier tomorrow.

Bunting could be in plaster for the next six weeks and needs lengthy rehabilitation.

That's cutting things extremely fine with the NPC opener against Auckland just seven weeks away.

There was also the grim sight yesterday of livewire halfback Kevin Senio with his hand in plaster after he injured it in club rugby at the weekend, but it's understood the plaster may just be precautionary and he may be back in action midway through July.

In a bizarre twist, Senio becomes the fifth Steamer in recent weeks to injure a hand, joining front rower Josh Heke, fullback Adrian Cashmore and prop Simms Davison on the sidelines.

Flanker Andrew Leota also broke a bone but has decided to play on through the season.

To top it off, 99-game veteran Paul Tupai remains sidelined with a muscle tear in his shoulder and hooker Ngarimu Simpkins can't play tomorrow because of a date with the judiciary after being sent off for Whakatane Marist on Saturday.

The only bits of good news for the coaching staff were having backup hooker Simon Chisholm come through a fitness test with a tender hamstring and the successful return of NZ Maori and Chiefs loose forward Wayne Ormond.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES