Highlanders fly-half Colin Slade has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg against the Brumbies.
Fly-half was carried off against the Brumbies
Highlanders fly-half Colin Slade has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg against the Brumbies.
Slade, who broke his jaw twice last season and then damaged his groin at the World Cup, was carried off on a stretcher during Saturday's defeat to the Brumbies.
And x-rays have revealed the 24-year-old, who has been capped 10 times by the All Blacks, is now facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Slade's injury leaves Chris Noakes as the only recognised fly-half in the Highlanders squad - with Liam Sopoaga ruled out with a shoulder problem.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph will also be without flaner John Hardie for a substantial spell after the flanker broke a toe.
"It's pretty horrific, really," Joseph told the
Otago Daily.
"We don't do things by halves in the Highlanders. The one thing I know about this group of guys is they are pretty tough. They'll bounce back.
"It's a long season. We've had a great start but now we've got to deal with some tough issues.
"I'm pretty proud of our guys. I think they've created something quite special down here."
