Paulo out of action

Canterbury and Crusaders hooker Ti'i Paulo will not only miss the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals, but also the entire 2009 Super 14 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Canterbury and Crusaders hooker Ti'i Paulo will not only miss the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals, but also the entire 2009 Super 14 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

The hooker, who came on as a replacement for Corey Flynn in Canterbury's quarter-final victory against Tasman, suffered both a ruptured ACL and a meniscal tear just before the end of the game.

He will now see a surgeon later this week, and will go under the knife as soon as possible, but is going to be out of action for anything up to nine months.

“This is a terrible shame for Ti'i.” Canterbury coach Rob Penney told NZPA.

“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.”

Canterbury will play Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Saturday in the second Air New Zealand Cup semi-final.