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Highlanders confirm the worst case for Caleb Tangitau's injury

Caleb Tangitau of the Highlanders leaves the field injured during the round 14 Super Rugby match between Chiefs and Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato, on May 15, 2026, in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)
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The Highlanders have confirmed the extent of All Black hopeful Caleb Tangitau’s leg injury suffered on the final play against the Chiefs on Friday night.

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The 23-year-old has fully ruptured his left Achilles which will put the winger out for six-to-nine months with recovery.

The Highlanders official account wrote on social media: “Caleb has a full rupture of his left Achilles requiring surgery (6-9 months RTP)”

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The devastating injury means he will miss the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season, the July period Nations Championship fixtures and the All Blacks tour of South Africa, which he was expected to be a part of with a debut.

In a best case scenario at the earliest, he would return to play in November during the All Blacks tour of Europe for the Nations Championship. Whether he would be ready for an international debut coming back at that time is very uncertain.

England’s centre Ollie Lawrence suffered a ruptured Achilles in the 2025 Six Nations in March, by September he was back playing pre-season games for Bath in the Premiership. However, his minutes were managed initially when the season started.

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph feared the worst for Tangitau after the loss to the Chiefs but believed he would bounce back.

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“It looks as though he’s ruptured his Achilles. That’s really disappointing for a him – a young winger coming in and playing really good rugby, coming in and scoring awesome tries,” Joseph said.

“He’s aspiring to become an All Black and play at the highest level.

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

 

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4 Comments
S
SC 44 days ago

Clarke, Fainga’anuka, Carter, Narawa, Naholo, Nareki, Kneepkens, Fihaki, and Moorby remain viable options for wing.


Pretty sure Rennie wants an attacking fullback to play his counter-attack game plan and that is Will Jordan, not Jordie Barrett who has zero counter-attacking ability, nor does Beauden any more.

D
DarstedlyDan 45 days ago

Poor guy, hope he recovers quickly and keeps his speed and step.


With this and Fineanganofo leaving, we may be a little short of test ready wingers (there are a few who could be, but are not yet). Wonder if this will increase the chance of a Clarke - J Barrett - Jordan back 3?

S
SC 44 days ago

Jordie can catch a high ball and kick the ball back.


That is all he offers at fullback and that is not Dave Rennie’s game plan based on counter-attack. Jordie is in the midfield or on the bench.

L
LondonAllBlack 45 days ago

Josh Moorby ?

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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