WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes face an injury crisis at hooker as they attempt to rebound from their first loss of the season in Super Rugby Pacific when they play the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday.

The Wellington-based Hurricanes have lost all three contracted hookers to injuries in recent weeks. All Blacks hooker Asafa Aumua seriously injured his knee in the Hurricanes’ ninth-round win over the Fijian Drua and his understudy, James O’Reilly, will miss the Waratahs match after being concussed during last weekend’s 27-19 loss to the Canberra-based Brumbies.

Those setbacks followed a long-term injury sustained by third-string hooker Jacob Devery.

Head coach Clark Laidlaw called on veteran All Blacks hooker Dane Coles prior to the Brumbies match, but he also is injured.

Extended squad member Raymond Tuputupu is likely to start at hooker against the Waratahs in what will be just his third Super Rugby match. Kianu Kereru-Symes has been called in as cover after last playing for the Hurricanes in 2022. Another replacement might have to be called on.