Robinson's return could be delayed a little longer

Keith Robinson

Hopes are receding of an imminent return to action for Chiefs pack anchorman Keith Robinson.

The Super 12 franchise had tentatively pencilled the All Black lock to be back early next month from his lengthy layoff for disc problems in his lower back.

But Chiefs coach Ian Foster conceded that's unlikely to happen. Robinson had a checkup last week and, while the report was not unduly negative, it also didn't have the franchise breaking out the bubbly.

"The report is to carry on what we're doing," Foster said. "It's just a matter of looking at him week by week and obviously we've been pretty careful not to go hard with him."

Robinson is an integral figure in the lineout drills and strategies at the Chiefs this year. It's no secret he relishes all aspects of the set piece.

And it's no coincidence the Chiefs have done well at the lineouts in both their loss to the Crusaders, when they pinched five of their opponents' throw-ins, and the win over the Blues.

"He's a real professional," Foster said. "Before he got injured he was very influential at lineout time. He's spent huge hours studying lineouts. Now he's injured we don't want him sitting round doing nothing.

"He's a passionate person, he's thrived on taking an increased responsibility with our lineout and he's doing a fantastic job."

Foster admitted it was frustrating for both player and coaching staff that Robinson is still stuck on the sideline. But they are not prepared to cut any corners in his rehabilitation.

"We've got to keep trucking and nothing is stopping us progressing what we are doing. In some ways that's good news," Foster said.

He has made a couple of changes for tomorrow night's match against the Reds at Waikato Stadium.

Lively halfback Kevin Senio replaces Byron Kelleher, who had a whale of a game against the Blues, and promising Ben Castle gets a chance at tighthead prop with Deacon Manu switching sides and Simms Davison dropping out with bruising in his back.

"Kevin hasn't got a lot of experience in Super 12 but we've got a lot of confidence him.

"We see this as a chance to show the faith in Senio and Castle and we don't miss a beat when they come in," Foster added.

* Waikato Stadium, 7.35pm, tomorrow

Chiefs

Adrian Cashmore, Sosene Anesi, Mark Ranby, Derek Maisey, Loki Crichton, David Hill, Kevin Senio, Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Sean Hohneck, Jono Gibbes (c), Ben Castle, Scott Linklater, Deacon Manu.

Reds

Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Junior Pelesasa, Steve Kefu, Drew Mitchell, Elton Flatley (c), Josh Valentine, Luke Doherty, David Croft, Tom McVerry, Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman, Greg Holmes, Stephen Moore, Nick Stiles.

Reserves:

Chiefs: Aleki Lutui, Michael Collins, Bernie Upton, Wayne Ormond, Byron Kelleher, Keith Lowen, Grant McQuoid.

Reds: Sean Hardman, Anthony Mathison, Rudi Vedelago, Mitchell Chapman, Nic Berry, Julian Huxley, Peter Hynes.

* Former Waratahs first five-eighth John Mulvihill is to be John Mitchell's assistant at the new Perth Super 14 franchise.

Mulvihill, 38, is coaching reigning Brisbane premiers the Gold Coast Breakers.

He dropped out of the race for the head coach a month ago and endorsed former All Black coach Mitchell for the job.