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Injury-ravaged Highlanders given boost as young All Blacks prospect begins road to recovery
The injury-ravaged Highlanders have received positive news that one of their most promising youngsters has begun his long road to recovery.
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Interim head coach Clarke Dermody revealed on Thursday that star halfback Folau Fakatava has returned to the franchise’s headquarters after successful surgery on the ACL that he tore during his side’s shock 33-12 win over the Crusaders in April.
The injury is expected to keep the 21-year-old, tipped by many to become a leading All Black in the future, sidelined until between February and April, but the news that Fakatava is back in training will be warmly welcomed.
The Highlanders have endured a torrid run of injuries this year. Heading into this Saturday’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium, no fewer than 12 players have been ruled unavailable due to various injuries.
Among that list includes current and former All Blacks loose forwards Shannon Frizell, who is out for up to six weeks with a foot injury, and Liam Squire, who has been out of action since March because of a knee problem.
Three-test Wallabies prop Jermaine Ainsley and two-test Tongan midfielder Fetuli Paea, both of whom were star recruits for the Highlanders this year, also had their seasons ended before they began thanks to high ankle sprains sustained during pre-season.
Elsewhere, breakthrough youngsters Connor Garden-Bachop (hand), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (leg), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist) and Freedom Vahaakolo (foot) all had their seasons cut short at different stages throughout the campaign.
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Even injury replacement players, such as Caleb Makene (leg), Josh Timu (ankle) and Saula Mau (knee), have become unavailable because of injuries.
That’s still not taking into account the various other setbacks the likes of Josh Ioane, Solomon Alaimalo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ayden Johnstone, Pari Pari Parkinson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sam Gilbert, Ngatungane Punivai, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Teariki Ben-Nicholas and Sione Misiloi have gone through in 2021.
As a result, the Highlanders have been left stretched for playing personnel at certain points of a year that head coach Tony Brown, who is currently on leave with Japan, heralded as “exciting” four months ago due to the depth he had within his roster.
Those stocks have taken a heavy hit since then, but the early stages of Fakatava’s return is a step in the right direction as the Highlanders prepare to end this season and begin planning for the new-look competition in 2022.
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“He’s back on track now,” Dermody told reporters ahead of this weekend’s clash against the winless New South Welshmen.
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“I’m not sure of his return, it normally takes a long time [to come back] from those injuries, but I think everything went well, by the sounds of things, and he’s now back in the building training.
“The cheeky smile is back, so he’s getting through his rehab well.”
Getting Fakatava, the Tongan-born starlet who was enjoying a breakout season and was considered a genuine chance at All Blacks selection before injury struck, fit and firing for next year’s edition of Super Rugby will be crucial for the Highlanders.
His dynamic with co-captain Aaron Smith either as a starter or as a substitute gave the Highlanders a point of difference few others sides in New Zealand could match.
Fakatava’s presence in the match day squad also relieved Smith of plenty of pressure from the No 9 jersey as the seasoned veteran had frequently been called upon to play large chunks of matches on a week-to-week basis in recent seasons.
Before his future successor’s injury, Smith enjoyed a more balanced playing schedule as Fakatava was entrusted to play a prominent role in each match.
However, since that win over the Crusaders, Smith has featured as heavily for the Highlanders as he had in years gone by, something of which he said in March was “not fathomable” and made him “a broken man” by the end of last season.
Smith added that if he is to attend his third World Cup as a 34-year-old in 2023, he needs reduced playing minutes on a regular basis, which is why it is imperative for the Highlanders – and All Blacks – for Fakatava to return to the fray as soon as possible.
In order for that to happen, Dermody has ensured the Highlanders will offer their star youngster as much support as necessary during his recovery.
“Our medical team is obviously first-rate, so they get a lot of one-on-one time [with Fakatava and other injured players], making sure that they’re really planned and organised around their rehab, and I guess not trying to rush those things,” Dermody said.
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“I understand it’s going to take a long time [for Fakatava to recover], and you will have your tough days in there as well. It’s part of rugby. I’d say they get looked after really, really well through the weeks.”
Smith’s prolonged playing time since Fakatava’s absence has forced him onto the sidelines this weekend as he’s been rested from the side that will take on the Waratahs.
In his place has come third-string halfback Kayne Hammington, who will celebrate his 50th appearance for the Highlanders since moving down from the Chiefs in 2017.
Filling his void on the bench is 20-year-old James Arscott, who is in line for his Highlanders debut and is one of many highly-touted halfbacks, such as ex-New Zealand Schools star Noah Hotham and New Zealand U20 representative Nathan Hastie, within coming through the ranks at the franchise.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments