Robbie Fruean to miss most of Super Rugby season after breaking arm
Monday 2 March 2015 07:14, UK
Robbie Fruean's hopes of a successful return to Super Rugby this season could be over because of injury.
The winger signed for the Canterbury Crusaders during the off-season but he faces a race to play again in their 2015 campaign as he will miss up to five months with a broken arm.
Fruean was tabbed as one of the next All Blacks stars during his junior career - he was IRB U19 Player of the Year in 2007 - but a bout of rheumatic fever left him with severe heart damage.
He was released by the Waikato Chiefs at the end of last season after making only four Super Rugby appearances.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder offered him the chance to revive his career, but he fractured his right arm in Saturday's 40-16 loss to the Chiefs and has already had surgery to insert a plate in the damaged limb.
"We know that Robbie wanted to make this a great season so this is hugely disappointing for him," Blackadder said.
"We know that he will continue to contribute to the team while he is on the road to recovery and we hope that he is able to make a full recovery before the season is over."
