By Jeff McTainsh
Nehe Milner-Skudder has drawn plenty of comparisons to All Blacks and Hurricanes great Christian Cullen during his rise to prominence - the step, the speed - both products of the Manawatu system with quality back three utility factor.
But they now also share another unfortunate similarity - a serious injury early in their careers, with Milner-Skudder sidelined for the rest of the Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury.
Like Milner-Skudder, Cullen burst onto the Test scene in 1996 scoring seven tries in his first two matches, before suffering a knee injury on the All Blacks' tour to South Africa. If anyone can understand the frustration, it's him.
"No doubt he's a massive loss," said Cullen.
"After his season last year and what he did with the Hurricanes and for the All Blacks, he'll be hugely disappointed.
"At the end of the day that's the reality of rugby isn't it. You get these injuries and sometimes you get a bit of luck. In Nehe's case we waited and we waited and were hoping for the best. It's one of those things, you have to move on."
Culllen didn't let an early injury curtail his illustrious career, returning from his knee injury in 1997 to score 11 tries in 10 games for the Hurricanes and 12 tries for the All Blacks in 12 Tests.
"You're pretty lucky if you can go through your career without some sort of injury at some stage with a prolonged time off."
"He's got it now and I guess it's just one of those things you have to suck up. I had a few shoulder injuries in my time and I mean it's tough at the time.
"You've just got to get through it and do all the right things. He's still only young so if he does all the right things now he's got a bit of time left in him."
While Milner-Skudder may have time on his side, 33-year-old Cory Jane now gets an opportunity to showcase his skills and 53-Test experience after being injected into the Hurricanes starting 15 for Friday's game against the Force in Palmerston North.
"That's what the Hurricanes need," said Cullen.
"They've lost a bit of experience with Conrad and Ma'a and Thrushy [Jeremy Thrush] and Ben Franks. It's another voice on the field another leader in the field.
"Hearing him last night talk about still wanting to put that black jersey on, this is a perfect opportunity for him to cement that starting spot on the wing and show us what he's still got."
Milner-Skudder will undergo shoulder surgery next week and is expecting to be out of all rugby for at least six months, ruling him out of the June series against Wales and most of the Rugby Championship.
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