Umaga heading home, targeting April comeback

Hurricanes rugby coach Colin Cooper hopes Tana Umaga can return for the April 1 match against the Crusaders after suffering another knee injury yesterday.

The former All Blacks captain is returning home to Wellington after suffering a grade one tear of his medial ligament during the 25-27 Super 14 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Cooper and medical staff have targeted the home match against the Crusaders in round eight as Umaga's comeback.

Taranaki midfielder Lifeimi Mafi has flown to South Africa to replace Umaga, with away matches against the Stormers and Bulls in the next two weeks.

"It's a huge loss, both on and off the field," Cooper told the Dominion Post.

The injury, suffered in the 17th minute of yesterday's match, was in the same knee as the injury that forced Umaga out of the 2003 World Cup.

"The loss of Tana so early hit us hard, but at least we got a point out of the game. We have two more matches in South Africa and we must regroup and rethink our strategy," stand-in captain Andrew Hore said.

There was better news in a Hurricanes dressing room that resembled a hospital ward afterwards.

Hosea Gear had a large gash in his mouth that required stitching, while No 8 Thomas Waldrom was taken to hospital for x-rays to his arm but was cleared of any damage.

Halfback Piri Weepu was cleared to play against the Stormers this Sunday (NZT) in Cape Town after staggering from the field in the 67th minute and collapsing once over the touchline.

He was taken to hospital with breathing problems, but Cooper put it down to "altitude and dehydration."

Captain Rodney So'oialo and lock Paul Tito will be welcomed back next weekend after their one-week suspension for careless rucking.

- NZPA