Super Rugby Injuries
Anscombe and Nanai-Williams sidelined
ESPN Staff
May 11, 2013
The Chiefs' Tim Nanai-Williams relaxes, Highlanders v Chiefs, Super Rugby, February 22, 2013
Tim Nanai-Williams went to hospital with what is believed to have been a stomach ulcer © Getty Images
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The Chiefs were dealt two more serious blows to their Super Rugby championship defence on Friday, with Gareth Anscombe and Tim Nanai-Williams each ruled out for six weeks.

Anscombe, Super Rugby's leading points scorer, fractured a bone near the big toe of his right foot at training on Thursday, although the injury was discovered only shortly before kick-off against the Force after a scan.

Nanai-Williams, meanwhile, went to hospital with what is believed to have been a stomach ulcer.

The injuries come after Richard Kahui was ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season with yet another shoulder injury, which requires surgery and may even end the All Blacks utility's career.

The Chiefs overcame the loss of Nanai-Williams and Anscombe from the side that played Western Force, opening Super Rugby round 13 with a 22-21 victory in Pukekohe. "We're missing a bit of personnel and the guys we've got on the track are fighting hard," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said of the win. "We'll take one-point wins on days like that."

The Chiefs also have Charlie Ngatai and Andrew Horrell sidelined, but Rennie said the New Zealand Rugby Union had denied them the opportunity to draft a replacement player into the squad. "We actually had a really good option overseas," Rennie said. "He was keen to come, his club was going to release him and New Zealand wouldn't allow it so we're back to square one."

The Chiefs overcame Western Force (video available only in Australia)
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