"Tino was shattered. He begged the Chiefs backs coach [Andrew Strawbridge] who was at the Mount to let him play, but like Tom he had to go with the doctor's call. Providing Tino is cleared tomorrow he will be named on Tuesday night in our team to go to Queenstown next weekend," Waitoa explained yesterday.
"Tino and Gillies [All Black Sevens squad member Gillies Kaka] will do some damage working together at the nationals," Waitoa said.
Nemani's withdrawal was the start of a tough day at the office for Central Region champions Hawke's Bay who lost all four of their games at Blake Park.
"It was one of those days where nothing went right for us ... the bounce of the ball, the odd ref's call, those sort of things. Too many missed tackles cost us ... far too often there wasn't enough talk on defence."
HBS Bank Hawke's Bay opened their campaign with a 26-21 loss to Auckland. After a poor start Hawke's Bay fought back well with New Zealand Secondary Schools representative Trinity Spooner-Neera scoring two tries and captain Ihaia West one.
Hawke's Bay conceded a couple of soft tries when beaten 22-10 by Counties-Manukau in their second pool game.
These losses booked Hawke's Bay a plate semifinal berth against North Harbour, one of their pool opponents at this weekend's nationals, and Harbour won 17-12.
In a reversal of their Central Region final last month, Hawke's Bay lost 42-12 to Manawatu in their final game of the day, the plate playoff for third.
Bay coach Murdoch Paewai gave his fringe players, Sheridan Rangihuna, George Crichton and Penikolo Latu, plenty of game time against Manawatu.
"We had to think of the future. If these players don't make the Queenstown squad at least they know what is required should they get the opportunity again," Waitoa explained.
Isaac Paewai rolled his ankle and Brad Nicol collected a groin strain against Auckland and took no further part. They are expected to be fit for Queenstown.