Ripia injury adds to grim body count for Waikato

Injuries to William Ripia and others could hit Waikato's campaign. Picture / Greg Bowker

Waikato officials were preparing for grim news today on gifted young back William Ripia.

But he's just part of a three-cornered injury bulletin which could put a serious crimp in Waikato's Air New Zealand Cup campaign.

The New Zealand Colts first five-eighths had an operation yesterday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, suffered in the first half of Saturday's 22-all draw with Auckland at Eden Park.

At the time, Waikato were 19-0 up and Ripia was in fine touch. A 21-year-old of rare talent, he had started the match in place of regular No 10 Stephen Donald, who was serving a one-game ban after being sent off against Northland a week earlier.

On top of Ripia's injury, there are worries over flanker Liam Messam and hooker Tom Willis, both also injured at Eden Park.

Messam, who has been in storming form in the Air New Zealand Cup, picked up an injury to his cheekbone. Willis damaged an ankle.

Both were having MRI scans yesterday to determine the extent of the injuries ahead of Saturday's home game against Wellington, which Waikato must win to keep on track for a home quarter-final next month.

Willis is an important element in the Waikato pack but, as impressive as New Zealand Colt Messam has been, coach Warren Gatland is blessed with a solid core of loose forward options - three current or former All Blacks in Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah and captain Steven Bates, as well as the promising Steven Setephano.

Several other Waikato players have niggling injuries, ranging from centre Richard Kahui's broken nose - which had him coming on and off Eden Park as often as the water boys - to halfbacks Brendan Leonard and Malcolm Barnes with foot and shoulder strains.

At least All Black halfback Byron Kelleher is due back for his first outing of the season, but it's a depressing prospect for Gatland, who saw Waikato's chances of dominating the Top six playoff group disappear in a sloppy second spell against Auckland.

* Auckland prop John Afoa had a scan on his back last night. The tighthead winced from the field in the first half against Waikato after over-extending his back lifting at a lineout, leading to fears of a disc injury. He was on crutches that night but the discomfort had eased by Sunday.

Wing James Somerset's season seems to be over after suffering a slight patella tendon tear shortly before the Waikato match.

Auckland have a maximum five games left this season and Somerset is expected to be sidelined for at least a fortnight, if not more.

All Black wings Joe Rokocoko (this week) and Doug Howlett (next week) are returning, and left wing David Smith is in sizzling form.

Fullback Brent Ward, who picked up a large lump on the head after getting an accidental finger in the eye, should be ready for the Otago match on Saturday, depending on how quickly the swelling recedes.

Otago are in the wars too, having lost lock Tom Donnelly for the season with a shoulder injury. The suspected dislocation happened during Otago's 28-18 loss to North Harbour on Sunday.

With former All Black James Ryan not returning until next week after a long layoff for shoulder surgery, Samoan international Pelu Pavihi is expected to replace Donnelly, who was Otago's lineout caller.

All Black hooker Anton Oliver returns to action this week as Otago seek to end their 30-year Eden Park hoodoo. But his tighthead prop mate Carl Hayman is another week away as part of his All Black post-Tri-Nations stand down.