Joe Taufete’e will play no further part in the Americas Rugby Championship. The US Eagles hooker has returned to his Aviva Premiership club Worcester Warriors but will sit out the next 8-10 weeks with medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage to his right knee.
‘Big Joe’ suffered the injury in the 11th minute of the match against Canada at Papa Murphy’s Park on the weekend. He received heavy strapping on the knee and stayed on until nearly the hour mark when he was replaced by James Hilterbrand. Taufete’e has now been ordered to rest in order to fully recover.
Despite the blow the Eagles have not been left short-handed at hooker. Hilterbrand will have competition from Peter Malcolm and uncapped Dylan Fawsitt.
Austin Elite signing Malcolm enjoyed a breakthrough year with the Eagles after debuting in the 2017 ARC. New York-based Fawsitt, a native of Ireland, completed his residency requirements late last year and was a late call-up to the Eagles tour in November but is yet to make his test bow.