Asafo Aumua's injury confirmed to be left MCL tear

The Hurricanes have revealed the injury diagnosis for hooker Asafo Aumua who was taken from the field 12 minutes into his performance against the Fijian Drua over the weekend.

The left knee injury was confirmed to be an isolated MCL tear which will see the All Black miss 6-8 weeks of rugby.

That timeline leaves the potential for Aumua to return during the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, as his team are well on track to feature in at least the quarter-finals with the last remaining unbeaten record in the competition.

Asafo Aumua has an isolated MCL tear, which will sideline him for the next 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/broDdoTpDq

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) April 23, 2024

Hurricanes captain Brad Shields offered his initial insight into the injury and Aumua’s emotions following the game on Friday.

“He was pretty sore and he’s pretty gutted. He’s a tough man and he doesn’t like to show [any pain] but we’re feeling for him,” Shields told media.

“It’s a similar situation to Cam (Roigard) and while it’s slightly different injuries, nonetheless when you can’t be a part of the team it’s pretty gutting.

“I know he’ll do everything he can to come back in better shape and as quickly as he can but we will make sure we rally behind him.”

As Shields alluded to, Aumua’s injury is the second major setback for the Hurricanes, after All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard went down with a ruptured patella tendon at the start of the month.

Unlike Roigard, Aumua is on track to be available for international selection for Scott Robertson’s All Blacks this year.

Another key difference with Aumua’s injury is that the Hurricanes don’t have an All Black hooker waiting on the bench as they did with TJ Perenara at halfback.

However, reserve hooker James O’Reilly has enjoyed strong form in 2024 and will get a rare opportunity in the starting unit during Aumua’s absence, having sat behind both Aumua and Dane Coles throughout the majority of his Hurricanes career.