Ethan Blackadder just can’t catch a break.
After finally shaking off a spate of calf injuries over the years, the loose forward suffered a fresh one in the warm-up on Saturday night before the All Blacks played the Wallabies.
While Ethan had been left out of the game day 23, he looked certain to be required for the second test in Sydney after former Tasman teammate Anton Segner suffered a head knock on his return.
Ethan had endured at least seven calf injuries prior to this season and they hindered his international and provincial career.
He brought up his 50th cap for Tasman last season and his consistent Crusaders form earned him an All Black recall this year and a 15th test appearance.
The 31-year-old also featured in three midweek matches on the tour of South Africa, turning in a man-of-the-match performance against the Lions.
