9 Feb 2016

Rennie confirms Pulu could be out for 10 weeks

1:34 pm on 9 February 2016

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has confirmed halfback Augustine Pulu will miss at least a couple of months of rugby.

Augustine Pulu in action in Sydney

Augustine Pulu in action in Sydney Photo: Photosport

Pulu broke his arm at the Sydney Sevens tournament over the weekend, which New Zealand won.

He was scheduled to return to Super Rugby pre-season with the Chiefs this week, but Rennie confirmed he would be out for eight to 10 weeks.

"Oh it's incredibly disappointing, for him, you know he's obviously been part of a sevens campaign gone really well, made a really big contribution and was keen to get into some Super footy and then obviously head back towards Rio. So unfortunately misses out on a lot of footy for us and obviously won't be able to play any sevens in that period either."

Pulu missed last year's Super Rugby playoffs with a broken arm.

The Chiefs have plenty of cover at halfback with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Brad Webber in the ranks.

Pulu has played a significant part in the All Black Sevens since committing himself to the game for the Rio Olympics.

All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens will be hoping he gets Pulu back in time for the last two World Series events he is down to play in before the Rio Olympics.

Pulu, as well as the other Super Rugby players - the Hurricanes star Ardie Savea and Blues brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane - are due to rejoin their respective franchises until round 10 of the new season.

After that they will link up with the sevens team again for the Paris and London tournaments in May, then concentrate on Rio.

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