Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes address hooking crisis, after suffering first defeat of season against ACT Brumbies

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw is taking a positive outlook over his team's first defeat of their Super Rugby Pacific campain, but faces a worsening selection headache in his front row.

The Wellingtonians tumbled 27-19 to ACT Brumbies at Canberra, barely retaining their position atop the competition table by a single point from the Blues.

They conceded 17 unanswered points in the first half to trail 24-12 at the break and could not dig themselves out of that hole over the second 40 minutes.

Less than half an hour into the contest, Hurricanes hooker James O'Reilly left for a concussion check and did not return, leaving rookie Ray Tuputupu to complete the game in his place.

"It was pretty obvious he was concussed," observed Laidlaw. "He failed his HIA [Head Injury Assessment], so he'll go through the protocols, but with a six-day turnaround, he'll not be available for next week.

"We'll need to find another hooker somewhere in New Zealand."

More to come

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw is taking a positive outlook over his team's first defeat of their Super Rugby Pacific campain, but faces a worsening selection headache in his front row.

The Wellingtonians tumbled 27-19 to ACT Brumbies at Canberra, barely retaining their position atop the competition table by a single point from the Blues.

They conceded 17 unanswered points in the first half to trail 24-12 at the break and could not dig themselves out of that hole over the second 40 minutes.

Less than half an hour into the contest, Hurricanes hooker James O'Reilly left for a concussion check and did not return, leaving rookie Ray Tuputupu to complete the game in his place.

"It was pretty obvious he was concussed," observed Laidlaw. "He failed his HIA [Head Injury Assessment], so he'll go through the protocols, but with a six-day turnaround, he'll not be available for next week.

"We'll need to find another hooker somewhere in New Zealand."

More to come

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