Kaierau's Dylan Bowater could miss eight weeks after breaking his thumb.
Progression or regression? That is the question for both Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau to answer in their return match at the Country Club tomorrow for the start of Tasman Tanning Premier's second round.
It was a culture shock for the 2016 Senior champions Ngamatapouri when they debuted in the top grade against the town club on March 18 in the Waitotara Valley, running out of legs in the final quarter for a misleading 62-29 loss.
Since then, Ngamatapouri were able to foot it with most Premier clubs - picking up three wins - although their momentum towards a possible playoff contention was derailed by heavy losses to Waverley Harvesting Border and McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu in the last two weekends.
Kaierau's winning margin proved deceptive as they went on a six match losing streak, which was finally snapped with the 29-0victory over winless Harvey Round Motors Ratana at the Country Club last Saturday.
Ngamatapouri coach Richard Carston said back in March his team had been at "sixes and sevens" after no preseason, but now it is the attrition of a tough Premier campaign that is leaving his side with a makeshift look tomorrow.
Linchpin players Bryn Hudson and Samu Kubunavanua are still out with ankle injuries - the club thinking about ditching the No8 numbered jersey for its bad luck - while prop Clint Newland will rest after trying to play through broken ribs against Ruapehu.
That 37-5 continues to prove costly as red-carded players Josia Dawai (verbal abuse) and Abu Toraca (punching) were fronting a WRFU judiciary last night to hear sentence on their 65th and 70th minute discretions.
Carston said Toraca had been retaliating against a Ruapehu forward.
"He took offence when one went in and split our halfback's lip."
Dawai let his temper get the better of him, but Carston claimed the situation would not have escalated if match referee Noah Viliamu had better communication with the Ngamatapouri captain on the day in Emosi Vucago.
"That's not on, when a referee won't talk to our captain.
"You can't go ripping over there as a coach, or you'll get in trouble.
"It was a frustrating game."
The team has some good news as talented back Villie Kuruyabaki returns after a week's stand down from being knocked out against Border, with tests showing he did not suffer concussion.
Carston, while from the old school, confirmed he takes head injuries very seriously, with front rower Eon Wallace not able to player earlier in the year until he had gotten over his head injury.
Despite the gaps in the line, Carston felt his side will still have enough to get some payback from opening day.
"We should go a bit better, even though we're still lacking a bit of horsepower up front.
"We'll just play our game, and see how we go. Take it to them."
Kaierau coach Denis Edwards is looking at an equation where he needs about 7-8 of his stronger players to be able to negate Ngamatapouri's remaining 2-3 stars.
"Have we improved or will we improve? I think we will," he said.
"We didn't play too bad in the forwards [against Ratana] and I think that's where the biggest problem has been.
"No excuses but to front up and play our pattern - keep our structures up."
Playing structure is still the key to success against Ngamatapouri, who prefer a more wide open match where their Fijian bolters can create something from nothing.
Kaierau are still working through their own injury woes with inspirational veteran Ace Malo out for at least another three weeks, while Karl Pascoe, who scored a hat trick in the team's first meeting, is still unavailable.
The biggest blow is Dylan Bowater, who Edwards rates as the most promising openside coming up in Premier, is out for some time with a broken thumb.
Edwards has tapped Cade Robinson to go onto the side of the scrum, and has been in his ear about staying cool - as Robinson himself picked up a red card in preseason and can be susceptible to provocation.
"Cade's stepping up and it's about time."
Otherwise, having the first-string front row of Jack Yarrall, Joe Edwards and Sam Dawson should lay the foundation to have Kaierau in good stead.
In the other matches, the big game today is the Spriggens Park derby with Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist putting their newly won Grand Hotel Challenge Shield on the line against Black Bull Liquor Pirates, in the rematch of Pirates thrilling 33-32 victory in March.
Having lost their Shield and unbeaten tag to Marist, Border will want to set the second round off right when they head to the Pa to face Ratana, while Memorial Park will host the other derby as PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape need maximum points against their always nuggety neighbours Utiku Old Boys.