By WYNNE GRAY
Eroni Clarke is about to get another rugby reprieve.
The seasoned midfield back missed the Blues trip to Australia which ended with a trial game against the Reds last night but will join the squad next week as they work towards their opening Super 12 game against the
Highlanders.
The 31-year-old Clarke is likely to be with the Blues for a month as cover for national sevens representative Amasio Valence, who has had surgery to repair an ankle problem.
In the past year, Clarke has been dropped from both the Auckland NPC squad then the Blues before being recalled to cover for injured players.
He will join other replacements, lock Leo Lafaiali'i and prop Mike Storey, who were used in the trial matches in Australia because of the injury to Troy Flavell and the unavailability of prop Tevita Taumoepeau.
Taumoepeau is set to play a club game in Auckland this weekend after being prevented from travelling to Australia because of a visa problem.
The Chiefs also have propping problems and are looking for a replacement for David Briggs, who has knee cartilage damage and is not expected to be ready for a month.
The Chiefs side to play the Highlanders at Tauranga tomorrow is: Loki Crichton, Roger Randle, Scott McLeod, Mark Ranby, Bruce Reihana, Glen Jackson, Danny Lee, Deon Muir (capt), Duncan Blaikie, Jonno Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Royce Willis, Tim Knight, Paul Mitchell, Deacon Manu.
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
2001 Super 12 schedule
