Rugby: Cunningham recovering from neck injury

Taranaki and Stratford-Eltham loose forward Hemopo Cunningham has been sidelined for an unknown period after a nasty neck injury saw him stretchered off the field against Wellington last weekend. 

Just before halftime in Taranaki’s 26-19 loss to Wellington on Sunday, Cunningham took a knock in a tackle. He was in obvious discomfort and didn’t move as medics from both teams ran to his aid.  

Play was stopped, and after a 10-minute delay, Wellington Free Ambulance and support staff stretchered Cunningham off the field.

Taranaki Rugby confirmed the 23-year-old spent the night in Wellington Hospital where he undertook a number of tests.  

 “We are pleased to say that he has now been discharged from hospital and is on his way home,” a statement during the week.  

 “TRFU would like to thank the Wellington medical staff and paramedics who assisted the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls medical team, and staff at Wellington Hospital for their care of Hemopo.” 

It’s unknown what the extent of Cunningham’s injury is, but Taranaki Rugby wished him all the best for a speedy recovery.  

Meanwhile, the side will welcome back two Super Rugby players to their squad that plays Southland in Invercargill on Saturday night.  

Kaylum Boshier returns at No. 8 after a shoulder injury, that saw him sidelined last week and resumes his captaincy. The midfield has been bolstered by Daniel Rona, who will play in his first game of the season after he was forced to sit out of the opening two matches because of a concussion sustained in a pre-season match against Wellington last month. Josh Setu drops back to the bench.  

Former Southland rep Arese Poliko has been named in the reserves, in his first game of the season. A hamstring injury has kept his play limited during the CMK club rugby competition with Spotswood United.  

The focus for Taranaki will be the second half, where they let Wellington score 21 unanswered points last weekend and let Counties Manukau narrow the margin in round one.  

Southland has made six changes from their Ranfurly Shield loss to Hawke’s Bay last weekend mostly to the backs.  

Taranaki Bulls: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Kini Naholo, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Kaylum Boshier (C), Michael Loft, Scott Jury, Tom Franklin, Fiti Sa, Michael Bent, Ricky Riccitelli, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Perry Lawrence, Mitch O’Neill, Jackson Morgan, Arese Poliko, Leone Nawai, Jayson Potroz, Josh Setu.  

Meanwhile, the Taranaki Whio will play North Harbour at Yarrow Stadium on Sunday from 1:05pm.  

Taranaki is coming off a heavy defeat to Wellington, while Harbour thumped Tasman 46-7 at home.  

Taranaki’s first win of the Farah Palmer Cup was against Harbour in 2020 and beat them last year at Onewa Domain.