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Joe Allison/Getty Images
The Hurricanes will be without Julian Savea for the rest of the season.
Super Rugby’s joint record try-scorer Julian Savea may have played his final game for the Hurricanes.
But departing coach Jason Holland hopes that is not the case and has implored the Hurricanes to re-sign the off-contract former All Black.
Savea and fellow winger Salesi Rayasi have been ruled out of the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season and were not included in the squad to face the Crusaders at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
The loss of two of their top three wingers has offset the return of Dane Coles and fullback Ruben Love.
Savea hurt his pectoral muscle while attempting to make a tackle on Caleb Clarke in the early stages of last weekend’s defeat to the Blues.
His replacement Rayasi was also forced off the field after suffering a knee ligament injury, leaving halfback Cam Roigard to see out the game on the wing.
Holland confirmed both Savea and Rayasi would play no further part for the Hurricanes this season, dealing a sizeable blow to their hopes of securing a home quarterfinal.
Four points adrift of the Brumbies in fifth place, the Hurricanes already appeared destined to finish outside the top four after back-to-back defeats to the Chiefs and Blues left them on the outside looking in heading into the final round.
To overtake the Brumbies they must claim a bonus point victory over the Crusaders on Saturday and hope the Canberra lose without picking up a bonus against the lowly Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
Savea recently equalled Israel Folau’s record by scoring his 60th career try.
But he may not get another chance to add to his tally as the 32-year-old has indicated this could be his final season for the Hurricanes before trying his luck overseas again.
Hurricanes: Josh Moorby, Daniel Sinkinson, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (capt), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Caleb Delany, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Tevita Mafileo. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Owen Franks, Justin Sangster, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan.
MORE TO COME
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