All Black flanker Sam Cane has been cleared of concussion and is set to start for the Chiefs in their Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
Cane was replaced as a precaution at halftime during the Chiefs 60-21 quarter-final win over the Stormers in Cape Town last Saturday.
Coach Dave Rennie says subsequent testing has shown no ill-effects for the 24-year-old, as they had suspected.
“He’s bounced back really well,” Rennie said.
“We thought it was pretty minor and he was grumpy that we took him off but it was the right call and we’re confident he will be ready to go.”
The news was not so good for veteran Stephen Donald, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
The former All Blacks playmaker was played out of position at inside centre in Cape Town.
His logical replacement is two-Test centre Seta Tamanivalu, with Anton Lienert-Brown likely to move in one spot to wear the No.12 jersey.
Fijian-born Tamanivalu missed the trip to South Africa with a knee injury he suffered in the final regular season loss to the Highlanders – a result which has sent them on a travel-heavy play-off schedule.
Rennie says Tamanivalu’s return is welcome against the Hurricanes, having scored twice against them in the Chiefs’ 28-27 win when the teams met in Wellington in April.
“Seta will be pretty important. He’s a big man who carries hard and he draws a lot of attention so it’s nice to have that option with Beaver (Donald) being no good.”
Japanese World Cup captain Michael Leitch could also make a return, having been out of rugby for over two months after dislocating his thumb against the Rebels in May.
Rennie says the 27-year-old No.8 will need to come through contact sessions without difficulty this week if he is to play.
Rennie isn’t reading too much into the result of the thrilling contest when the teams met, with both sides scoring four tries.
The Hurricanes had a chance to pull off victory but reserve back Jason Woodward spilled a pass with the tryline in sight in the final play.
“They’re looking a lot sharper and they’re certainly on a roll having knocked over a lot of big teams,” Rennie said.
“They had the toughest run into the play-offs and ended up the number one seed so it’s a big challenge for us this week.”
Chivas
Guest
I'd be a fit happier to hear Ngatai is fit well and recovering nicely.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Na, Tamanivalu will spill the ball ala Woodward at the death - he more often than not loses the ball in contact
richard
Guest
If it does happen,enjoy it.You might not be laughing when the RC starts.
R2D2
Guest
Great to hear the Chiefs will be at full strength for the semis. I am sure the Canes would not want it any other way. Hope Coles can join the party,should be a cracker of a game.
Blue
Guest
Go on Chiefs!
CUW
Guest
that would be the ideal outcome the powers that be dreamed of at the begining , when they plotted this rubbish conference system and travel schedule. :) at the end of the day , the idea was to capture the saffer market - coz there is few number of eyeballs in auzzy and nz.
abc
Guest
the chiefs will beat the Hurricanes and set up a Lions hosting chiefs final with the Lions to win the final.... Just thinking, kiwi teams after flying so high in throughout this year's super rugby fail to win the tournament...it will definitely be worth a few laughs...Go Wallabies!!