![\"Highlanders'](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JOKPYE_261505ChiefsHighlanders_068_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nHighlanders’ Caleb Tangitau picks up an injury during the Chiefs v Highlanders on Friday.
\nPhoto: DJ Mills\n<\/p>\n
All Blacks Test prospect Caleb Tangitau appears set for a long stint on the sideline after suffering a serious injury during a Super Rugby match for his Otago Highlanders.<\/p>\n
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the initial diagnosis was that speedy wing Tangitau had ruptured his Achilles tendon late in the 42-12 loss to the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.<\/p>\n
It is a major blow for the 23-year-old, who was widely considered a chance to make his Test debut for New Zealand this year.<\/p>\n
Tangitau’s speed and power had taken him to seven tries in 11 matches this season.<\/p>\n
Attacking statistics had him listed in the competition’s top three for both clean breaks and defenders beaten.<\/p>\n
Joseph told reporters he felt for the former New Zealand sevens representative.<\/p>\n
“It looks as though he’s ruptured his Achilles. That’s really disappointing for a him – a young winger coming in and playing really good rugby, coming in and scoring awesome tries,” Joseph said.<\/p>\n
“He’s aspiring to become an All Black and play at the highest level.<\/p>\n
“I guess he’s young, that’s on his side, and the surgeons these days are pretty good. He’ll be back.”<\/p>\n
Newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was watching in the stand at Waikato Stadium.<\/p>\n
Rennie would have also been concerned by the sight of Chiefs fly-half Damian McKenzie lying motionless for several seconds after being accidentally kicked while making a tackle.<\/p>\n
Regarded as a strong prospect to be New Zealand’s starting playmaker, 74-Test veteran McKenzie will automatically undergo a mandated 12-day stand-down period.<\/p>\n
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes was relieved to see McKenzie appearing in good spirits immediately after the game.<\/p>\n
“He got a pretty decent stun there,” Gibbes said.<\/p>\n
“We took all the right precautions with him. It looked pretty bad, but they got to him pretty quick, and he’s up on his feet and talking and walking around.”<\/p>\n
The six-try performance handed the Chiefs their seventh straight win, and ninth of the campaign, with two rounds remaining.<\/p>\n
They sit level with the Wellington Hurricanes as competition co-leaders although the Chiefs have played one extra game.<\/p>\n
An eighth loss leaves the Highlanders one place outside the top six who make the play-offs but probably needing other results to go their way if they’re to qualify.<\/p>\n
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