Lengthy lay-off for injured Paulo
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:10
Canterbury hooker Ti'i Paulo has been ruled out for the rest of the Air New Zealand Cup season and the next Super 14 season after injuring his left knee late in last Friday's quarterfinal victory against Tasman.
Paulo, who came on as a replacement for Corey Flynn in the 58th minute, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and suffered a meniscal tear in open play with a few minutes left in the match.
Paulo, 25, will see a surgeon on Friday and will have surgery, possibly next week.
He has played 19 times for Canterbury and 20 times for the Crusaders and impressed this season in his starting role for Canterbury while Flynn was out injured.
Canterbury coach Rob Penney said: "This is a terrible shame for Ti'i. He has played a big part in getting us to this weekend's semi-final, both on and off the field, and for him not to be able to play a part in it is a massive disappointment for the whole group. With his character and determination we know he will make a full recovery and be back contributing to Red and Black rugby before too long."
Canterbury will play Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Saturday in the weekend's second Air New Zealand Cup semifinal.
Wellington host Southland in the first on Friday.
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that Mose Tuiali'i, following an examination at Burwood spinal unit last Friday, will be wearing a neck brace for six weeks and will not take part in contact training for three months after that.
However, the injury (bruising of the spinal cord ) will not affect his contract with Yamaha and he is scheduled to leave for Japan as planned next year.
