All Blacks hopeful Caleb Tangitau shares heartbreaking post after injury

All Blacks hopeful Caleb Tangitau has shared a heartbreaking post on Instagram after sustaining a serious injury in a 42-12 defeat to the Chiefs. Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph confirmed post-game the in-form winger had suffered an achilles rupture.

Tangitau fell to the ground with a non-contact leg injury with the clock in the red, having taken the Chiefs defensive line on in the 81^st minute. The Highlanders were trailing by 22-points at the time, and were looking to end the New Zealand derby on a positive note.

The All Blacks XV flyer received a pass from Taine Robinson before attempting to goose-step pass defenders. Chiefs prop George and winger Kyren Taumoefolau waited in the defensive wall, but didn’t get a hand on Tangitau.

As the match continued beyond the 84-minute mark, with the Chiefs adding to their tally with a Kyle Brown try, Tangitau was unfortunately down the other end being helped onto a medical card, which took him from the field.

As a representative of the New Zealand U20, All Blacks Sevens and All Blacks XV, many were tipping Tangitau to earn more representative honours with the All Blacks this July. But you could feel the devastation from this Instagram story Tangitau shared on Saturday.

“Not the way I wanted to finish the year but that’s footy man,” Tangitau wrote.

“Thanks to everyone who’s messaged your support means everything.”

Tangitau touched down for three tries in two matches for the All Blacks XV last November, which included a double against the Barbarians. The All Blacks XV claimed a 31-14 win over England A on November 8, with Tangitau crossing for a five-pointer in that one as well.

It didn’t take Tangitau any time at all to make an impact in Super Rugby Pacific this season, with the outside back scoring two tries in as many games to start the campaign. That included an effort in the upset win over the Crusaders in the opening round.

The 23-year-old would later register doubles against the Western Force in round four and Moana Pasifika in round seven. It’s a standout season from the rising star, who some believed to be a shoo-in for All Blacks honours in the Nations Championship.

“I’ve just found out, it looks like he’s ruptured his achilles,” Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said post-game.

“So it’s really disappointing for him, a young winger playing really good rugby, scoring awesome tries.

“He’s young, so that’s on his side, and the surgeons these days are pretty good, so he’ll be back.”