Chiefs take low risk approach
INJURY UPDATE: The Chiefs refuse to risk Sam Cane or Damian McKenzie in its pursuit of claiming a home quarterfinal clash.
The Chiefs could earned the right to hosts a quarterfinal if the side manages to beat the Hurricanes with a bonus-point victory and a winning margin of 23 points or more.
However, securing a home quarterfinal is not the Chiefs’ sole focus as coach Colin Cooper has opted to rest the mercurial Damian McKenzie and decided to sideline co-captain Sam Cane as a precaution following his concussion.
According to Stuff, the openside flank was forced off late in the first half of Saturday’s 24-19 win over the Brumbies at FMG Stadium Waikato, and though he passed his HIA assessment, coach Colin Cooper wasn’t interested in returning Cane to the park in case of further damage.
“We won’t be risking him, so he’s unlikely to play this weekend,” Cooper told Stuff post-training on Monday.
“He passed his test [on the night], but as we thought he’d be after that hit, he’s still not a hundred [per cent], where he should be.”
On the rest of the injury front, lock Brodie Retallick will return from his pectoral problem and will be ready to face the Hurricanes this Friday.
Hooker Nathan Harris is expected to be fine after suffering a corked thigh against the Brumbies.
Utility back Sean Wainui is a concern. Wainiu is likely to sit out on Friday’s fixture due to his shoulder injury suffered on Saturday.
Prop Nepo Laulala is still battling back after complications in his recovery from a broken arm against the Blues on March 2, but could feature in the quarterfinal.
@NZStuff
