The bad news keeps on coming for the Queensland Reds, with an injury to recruit Hendrik Tui before he has even pulled on a Reds jersey.
Tui fractured his fibula while playing for Japanese Top League side Suntory Sungoliath at the weekend, as they qualified for the All-Japan Championship decider by defeating Panasonic in the semi-final.
The New Zealand-born Japanese international, whose Reds debut had been delayed by Suntory's successful finals run, will be sidelined for at least a month.
He will fly into Brisbane next week and will be assessed by the Super Rugby side's medical staff.
Tui joins an already lengthy injury list that includes the likes of James Horwill (hand), Quade Cooper (collarbone), Greg Holmes (thumb), Rob Simmons (shoulder) and Beau Robinson (calf).
In addition, Karmichael Hunt is out of action at least until his court appearance on drugs charges.
"There was a little bit of someone killed the old black cat or broken the mirror here at Ballymore with a few things, but it extends to Japan," coach Richard Graham said.
"We'll find out once we see the scans as to how long he'll be out.
"Certainly it will be four weeks, but at this point in time our medical staff haven't evaluated anything."
Horwill has been officially ruled out of Friday's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin after a gruesome hand injury in Queensland's win over the Western Force on Saturday.
On the bright side, captain James Slipper (concussion) has been cleared to play the Highlanders while James O'Connor remains on track to make his long-awaited first appearance for the Reds, having missed the Force clash after a flare-up of his knee injury.
Anthony Fainga'a (knee) is also likely to be in the mix for selection.
Meanwhile, Hunt has been permitted to use Ballymore's gym facilities to maintain fitness, but can't train with his teammates.
"Anyone who's dealt with him understands he's a confident guy. He's dealing with it well," said Graham, who also reiterated his confidence that no other Reds players would become tangled up in Queensland sport's cocaine scandal.
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