Sam Cane to miss Highlanders clash

Sam Cane will miss tomorrow's match against the Highlanders. Photo/File

There are far easier starts to a Super Rugby campaign than the one facing the Chiefs. They have three full-blooded New Zealand derbies - against the Hurricanes away in Dunedin tomorrow followed by the Blues and Hurricanes in Hamilton.

The Chiefs have lost their last six games to the Highlanders and head to Forsyth Barr Stadium as underdogs at the TAB ($1.62/$2.30).

But co-captain Sam Cane is confident his team is ready for the tough triple-header, even if a niggling ankle injury means he will not play against the Highlanders.

Bay of Plenty flanker Mitch Karpik will make his Super Rugby debut in Cane's number 7 jersey.

"There will be no easing into it. They are almost our toughest games of the year so we will get a pretty quick reminder of what Super Rugby is all about. All three teams are in the same boat though," Cane said.

"But it will spark the comp up because there are people interested in those games. It is pretty important that we get off to a good start."

The Chiefs won the pre-season Brisbane Global Tens but it came at a terrible price after prop Mitchell Graham and halfback Brad Weber suffered season-ending leg injuries.

Cane says it is a major blow to their title aspirations.

"The weekend itself was pretty awesome with some pretty good success. On one side I was stoked for the guys who got to pull on the Chiefs jersey for the first time and go out and play like that.

"Then when you look at the bigger picture which is winning a Super title, without having those two guys Mitch Graham and Brad Weber, who are most likely to be in the 23 every week either starting or on the bench, it is a big loss to be honest.

"To win this comp you pretty much need two good players in each position so it is disappointing for them and disappointing for us all. But we know that's footy and it gives some other guys a crack."

Bay of Plenty prop Aidan Ross has replaced Graham for his first Super contract.

"I am sure he will go well. He is someone who has worked very hard to get where he is now and he will put his head down and do the work," Cane said.

"He has already come in and picked things up really quickly so when he does get a chance he will try and make the most of it."

At the other end of the experience spectrum are Liam Messam and Tim Nanai Williams, who between them have played more than 240 games in the Chiefs jersey.

"Experience and leadership are massive in campaigns like this so to have two guys who have played so many games, it is awesome to have them back. Off the field young guys who grew up watching those two play are now in the squad with them," Cane said.

"They contribute a lot off the field and I am sure we will be seeing plenty of them on it as well."