Steamers lose key halfback for rest of season

1.00pm

Bay of Plenty's NPC hopes have been rocked with the news star halfback Kevin Senio won't play rugby again this season.

Senio, who was injured against Taranaki two weeks ago, had an MRI scan on his ankle yesterday and a break was found that earlier x-rays had missed.

An operation is likely to insert screws into the break and he's likely to be out of action for the next eight weeks.

The devastating news has wider ramifications.

Senio was being touted as a possible All Black tourist later this year and his form meant he was almost a certainty for selection in the Chiefs Super 12 team.

A pragmatic Senio admitted his timing was lousy, yet again.

"I've had pretty bad luck with injuries, especially when it counts," he said.

"But life still goes on -- it's just one of those things, and I've been there, done that really. I've had a run of injuries, including some fairly bad ones, and I know how to cope with them now." His previous injuries include dislocating his shoulder soon after breaking into the Auckland NPC team and later injured a knee.

He also missed a large chunk of the club season this year after breaking a hand.

Flatmate and Bay of Plenty teammate Jeff Ierome also ended his season against Taranaki after breaking his leg.

The halfback mantle now falls on the diminutive shoulders of Rangataua's Ruki Tipuna, who performed admirably in his first NPC start against Canterbury on Sunday when Senio pulled out on the morning of the match.

Mount Maunganui halfback Charles Hubbard is rewarded for his outstanding form in the Bay of Plenty development team and will start from the bench against Otago on Saturday.

At least there was better news for the other injured player in the team, with Chiefs prop Simms Davison set to start against his old union after being cleared of breaking his sternum.

Both teams are expected to name unchanged lineups.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

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