Another day, another injury announcement from the Chiefs, but coach Dave Rennie says Sam Cane's back strain is only minor and the openside flanker is definitely in the frame for next week's clash against the Crusaders.
Cane has a disc bulge and was 50-50 for tomorrow night's match against the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin, the Chiefs deciding to take a cautious approach as they face five matches against New Zealand opposition in the run-in to the playoffs. In Tanerau Latimer, Rennie has an excellent replacement and Nick Crosswell is making a timely return from an elbow injury to the bench.
"We're pretty fortunate, we believe we've got the two best No7s in the country so we're sure Lats will do a good job for us," Rennie said.
The assurances that Cane will be available for the Crusaders match in Hamilton suggest he will be fit to play for the All Blacks against France next month. The 21-year-old is the only specialist openside flanker in the 38-man training squad.
In the two other changes to the Chiefs' starting line-up, Pauliasi Manu starts at loosehead prop and Charlie Ngatai returns from a hamstring strain to centre.
"They're brutal these games, with test match intensity, and you've got guys coming up against each other who have aspirations to play higher. It's certainly going to be a tough game and a tough few weeks but it's no different to last year when we played the Bulls and then we had four New Zealand sides to finish off," Rennie said.
He said of the Hurricanes, who looked extremely good in thrashing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein: "Their backs were against the wall. They've got a lot of character and a lot of very good players. We know full well if we kick poorly and you turn ball over you're going to be punished. They've got a good back three and loosies who are great on the ball."
Rennie said he was making progress on a midfield replacement for Richard Kahui after their request to sign Casey Laulala from Munster was denied by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Rennie said the player he was looking at was in the frame to make the sevens World Cup which could have implications for later in the season, but hoped to make an announcement soon.
Hawke's Bay player Dan Waenga has been named on the bench as cover for first-five following Gareth Anscombe's broken foot.
Teams:
Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Lelia Masaga, Charlie Ngatai, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Nick Crosswell, Augustine Pulu, Dan Waenga, Save Tokula.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee-Lo, Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Victor Vito (c), Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Ash Dixon, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Reggie Goodes, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Tusi Pisi, James Marshall