Rugby: Injury worries for Collins, Laulala

There are injury clouds hanging over a couple of key players as the Super 14 nears the business end.

Hurricanes flanker Jerry Collins may be in doubt with a rib injury and coach Colin Cooper says he will be assessed today. Cooper says it would be a terrible time to lose Collins as they need to bounce back quickly from the loss to the Stormers.

The Hurricanes have slipped outside of the top four and Cooper says they need to rebound quickly in their final week in South Africa.

The Crusaders have fears over the fitness of centre Casey Laulala who was stretchered off the field after being knocked out in the loss to the Chiefs. He was taken to hospital but travelled back to Christchurch with the rest of the team and will be monitored and assessed.

On the positive side for the Crusaders, they are hopeful Leon MacDonald may return this week from a long-term leg problem, while Daniel Carter is out of his moon-boot and is on schedule with his recovery.

Meanwhile, the foot problem which forced the late withdrawal of Callum Bruce from the Chiefs side which beat the Crusaders will be assessed this week.

- NEWSTALK ZB