Berliner Tageblatt - Castres' ex-All Black Papali'i ruled out for six months

NYSE - LSE
RBGPF 0% 65 $
RIO -1.4% 92.87 $
CMSC 3.13% 20.16 $
GSK -2.1% 47.18 $
CMSD 2.61% 20.34 $
NGG -0.65% 75.33 $
RELX 0.93% 33.49 $
BTI -2.27% 53.19 $
BCE -2.11% 19.92 $
AZN -2.39% 157.7 $
RYCEF 1.14% 19.3 $
BCC 0.74% 74.7 $
VOD 1.4% 16.38 $
BP 1.15% 44.5 $
JRI 0% 10.77 $
Castres' ex-All Black Papali'i ruled out for six months
Castres' ex-All Black Papali'i ruled out for six months / Photo: © AFP/File

Castres' ex-All Black Papali'i ruled out for six months

French Top 14 club Castres said on Wednesday their former New Zealand back-rower Dalton Papali'i has been sidelined for at least six months after tearing his Achilles tendon.

Text size:

Papali'i, 28, had arrived in France earlier this summer from the Blues on a three-year deal and suffered the injury days after starting pre-season training.

"Although Dalton successfully passed all the tests required prior to his arrival, this injury occurred accidentally and is a real stroke of bad luck," the five-time French champions said.

"Our player underwent surgery on Wednesday, July 15. He will be out of action for at least 6 months.

"Everyone at Castres sends Dalton their full support and will be by his side throughout his recovery," they added.

Castres begin their new Top 14 season against newly-promoted Vannes on September 5 having finished 10th last term with 37-time All Black Papali'i set to miss at least half of the campaign.

Papali'i's compatriot Jack Goodhue, France lock Tom Staniforth and Uruguay scrum-half Santiago Arata are among the star names in Castres' squad.

D.Schneider--BTB