How tackling an All Black led to ghastly ‘never very fun’ injury that required ‘60 stitches’

A player in New Zealand has posted a message on social media telling people he is “all good” after a collision with an All Black left him bloodied and requiring 60 stitches to a facial wound.

Bay of Plenty captain Kurt Eklund, the Maori All Blacks front-rower who plays Super Rugby for the Blues, had to exit the field in Tauranga after sustaining the injury in his team’s 27-7 quarter-final win over Tasman in the NPC.

The match was 30 minutes old on Saturday when hooker Eklund went to tackle Tasman’s David Havili, the All Blacks and Crusaders midfielder who was playing at full-back and running at speed across the BOP 10-metre line after collecting a clearance kick.

Eklund stooped to put in his tackle on Havili, his teammate from the AUNZ Invitational XV that took on the British and Irish Lions in July, but the collision became messy when BOP out-half Lucas Cashmore jumped on the back of the Tasman full-back.

Messages of support

The combined efforts of Eklund and Cashmore were enough to get Havili to the ground, but the double tackle came with a painful sting as the hooker appeared to take a friendly fire boot in the face from his teammate.

Play continued with Eklund nursing his wound and on the next phase, a delicate kick from Havili exposed the space the injury created, and it led to the try for Kyren Taumoefolau that put Tasman in front.

The concession wasn’t decisive as Bay of Plenty hit back in the second half to secure their 20-point victory, and Eklund later shared his delight with the win when he posted a social media update on his injury.

“Letting you know I’m all good,” he began in an Instagram video that showed the damage done to his face.

“Thank you very much for the messages of support. 60 stitches to the face, which is never very fun, but I am very proud of the boys, and I can’t wait to see them go again next week. So thanks to everyone who turned out today, and we go again.”

Eklund’s tackle on Havili can be seen 3:15 in this quarter-final highlights video.

Bay of Plenty next play on Friday, visiting Otago for their semi-final in a competition where Canterbury host Hawke’s Bay in the other last-four match the following day.

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