Referee Angus Gardner injured in Highlanders v Hurricanes game

Friday, 20 March 2026

Referee Angus Gardner shook off a painful shoulder injury to finish Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Highlanders and Hurricanes in Dunedin after colliding with Highlanders co-captain Hugh Renton.

The game was briefly halted as Gardner clutched his shoulder and lay prone on the ground in the 68th minute.

Officials prepared a replacement, but the Australian referee recovered and saw out the remainder of the match.

Gardner’s toughness impressed former All Blacks halfback and Sky Sports commentator Justin Marshall.

“Good on you, Angus. He's obviously got a massive stinger there because it would have been shoulder blade or shoulder bone on shoulder bone when he didn't see it coming,” Marshall said during the broadcast.

“He's brushed off what would be quite a painful injury, and he's just got on with it. The man of the match.”

The Hurricanes emphatically won the game 50-7 to extend their lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings. Left winger Fehi Fineanganofo bagged a hat-trick in the rout.