Highlanders five-eighth Hayden Parker will miss the Super Rugby season after suffering a knee injury in pre-season training. The Otago playmaker ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a similar injury to that which struck midway through the 2016 campaign. "He has worked so hard to get back to fitness and was really looking forward to the season. Parker has scored 86 points in 30 Highlanders appearances since 2013, playing largely as a back-up to All Blacks pivot Lima Sopoaga. Experienced Tasman No.10 Marty Banks has been signed as a temporary injury replacement.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 26, 2017 01:44 UTC