Crusaders hooker suffers season-ending injury
Embrose Papier of the Bulls challenged by Harrison Allan and Andrew Makalio of the Crusaders during the 2019 Super Rugby match between Bulls and Crusaders at the Loftus Versveld Stadium, Pretoria on the 10 May 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
The Crusaders have suffered a setback ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby season after it was revealed that hooker Andrew Makalio will miss the tournament due to a neck injury.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Tasman during last year’s title-winning Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
Makalio is set to have surgery, although a date for the operation has not been determined yet. However, he has been ruled out of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby trans-Tasman campaigns.
“We really feel for Drewza, and we wish him all the best with surgery and his recovery,” Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson told Newshub.
“While he won’t take part in any games this season, Drew is a really important member of our squad and his contribution off the field will be significant.
“We look forward to connecting with him on his return to Christchurch following surgery.”
Makalio has played an important part during the Crusaders’ recent dominance at Super Rugby level and impressed as the Christchurch-based outfit’s back-up hooker behind All Black Codie Taylor.
Bay of Plenty hooker Nathan Vella has been added to the Crusaders squad as Makalio’s replacement for the full 2021 Super Rugby season.