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Highlanders forward Liam Squire says he has a new perspective on the game he loves.
Liam Squire’s injury problems have struck again.
The Highlanders confirmed on Monday that the 30-year-old would miss the remainder of Super Rugby Aotearoa due to a recurring knee injury, with no set deadline for his return to rugby.
Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.
Liam Squire, Highanders v Crusaders, Super Rugby Aotearoa. Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. New Zealand. Friday, February 26, 2021. Â © Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
“It is difficult for Liam, he has worked hard to get back in shape and have a great season, but his knee has swelled again, which means we have to give him time now to rest and try to do well,” said the coach. from the Highlanders, Tony. Brown said in a statement.
Squire played about 20 minutes off the bench against the Crusaders in the first round and the Chiefs in the second round, but has not been seen since.
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The former All Black underwent knee and hip surgeries last year and signed with the Highlanders for 2021 and 2022 after cutting a two-year contract in Japan.
“I wasn’t planning to go back to New Zealand this early from Japan, but a knee injury sent me here for knee surgery,” Squire said in December.
“After Covid hit here, and they locked us up. During that time they advised me [also] make my hip after the lockdown.
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“It was good to do that, but the downside was that it delayed my rehab, so I couldn’t go back to Japan.
“After hip surgery, I felt like I was staying a bit here in New Zealand. Staying here and playing Super Rugby is exciting. I feel renewed again. “
Brown was confident that Squire could regain full fitness, but that has proven to be an optimistic assessment.
The injury will be a severe blow to Squire, who has spoken of his desire to regain a spot in the All Blacks squad.
“I have high standards for where I want to go to come back, and that’s very exciting for me,” Squire said after signing with the Highlanders.
“That All Blacks dream is definitely not over. It burns in the back of my mind. “
Depending on how Squire’s knee reacts to the rest, he could play in this year’s Miter Cup 10.
Squire played hard for Tasman in the 2019 competition, but has been linked to a move to Southland this year.
The Highlanders have decided not to name a replacement just yet and are doing relatively well at loose forward positions.
Assistant coach Clarke Dermody said Monday that Japan’s Kazuki Himeno was “100 percent” in the race to start against the Crusaders on Friday after impressing off the bench against the Hurricanes in round 5.
Squire’s unavailability continues to be a tough streak for recent Highlander recruits. Nehe Milner-Skudder needs more playing time to fully recover from long-term shoulder problems, while Fetuli Paea and Jermaine Ainsley succumbed to ankle injuries even before the season began.
The Highlanders are currently 1-3 in Super Rugby Aotearoa, which leaves them at the bottom of the ladder.
