Rugby-Injury to keep All Blacks forward Taukei'aho out of Super Rugby final

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Samisoni Taukei'aho in action with South Africa's Faf de Klerk REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo

(Reuters) - The Waikato Chiefs will be without Samisoni Taukei'aho for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Auckland Blues after the All Blacks hooker left the pitch with an Achilles injury during his side's win over the Wellington Hurricanes.

Taukei'aho was replaced 22 minutes into the 30-19 victory in Wellington and the 26-year-old is also doubtful for New Zealand's three-match series against England, which begins in Dunedin on July 6.

"It looks like it's going to be pretty serious, which is unfortunate not just for us but for him and probably his All Blacks prospects for the immediate future," Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan told New Zealand media.

The Chiefs also have doubts over Taukei'aho's replacement, Bradley Slater, who left the field before fulltime.

Taukei'aho's injury comes one week after fellow All Black Patrick Tuipultou was ruled out of the start of the international season with a knee injury sustained while playing for the Blues against the Fijian Drua.

(Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by William Mallard)