Super Rugby
Highlanders back Richard Buckman to miss Super Rugby season
ESPN Staff
February 11, 2016
© Rob Jefferies/Getty Images

Highlanders back Richard Buckman has been ruled out of the 2016 Super Rugby season after he injured his shoulder during their pre-season fixture against French club Racing 92 in Hong Kong last Saturday.

Buckman injured himself while scoring a try and was told on Wednesday he would require surgery, ruling him out for the season - but the 26-year-old remains positive.

"It is obviously pretty disappointing, I was looking forward to another big season trying to defend that title," he told Fairfax Media. "But it is just one of those things you can't do too much about now and look forward to the future and see the positive and get all my injuries right.

Highlanders sing for Barracuda

MUST SEE: Joe Wheeler leads the Highlanders in a musical tribute to Richard 'Barracuda' Buckman at the post-game function in Hong Kong!

Posted by Super Rugby on Saturday, 6 February 2016

"I went and saw the surgeon last night and he gave the news which was pretty tough. It was a tough sleep last night."

The side hoped he would be sidelined for just seven weeks and would return for the Highlanders in the second half of the competition. However, he will now spend the next few weeks strengthening his shoulder before surgery in March.

Buckman, dubbed the 'Barracuda', became an unlikely star for the Highlanders after his debut in 2014 and soon gained a cult following, especially after team-mate Joe Wheeler created a song in his honour, which was performed at the after-match function in Hong Kong.

"I was getting an x-ray at the time; I think he was looking for that limelight again. No he's a good man, I'm just not sure how he's got that song back out there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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