The Chiefs will likely have to call up a hooker from club rugby to play in Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Blues after losing Samisoni Taukei’aho and Bradley Slater to injuries in yesterday’s 30-19 semifinal win over the Hurricanes.
All Black Taukei’aho, who has been in outstanding form this season, injured a calf or Achilles in the first half at Sky Stadium in Wellington, with Slater suffering a knee injury and a head injury.
Slater, clearly bothered by his leg issue in the second half, soldiered on before being forced to leave the field for a head injury assessment which he failed.
The match finished with ‘golden oldie’ scrums and a back throwing the ball into the Chiefs lineout.
“It’s pretty bad,” Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said afterwards. “We might be looking for another hooker. It’s either a calf or an Achilles. I don’t think it’s real [serious] but something went there,” McMillan said.
“He was in position to make the tackle and just walked off the field so that is probably an indication that he wasn’t great.”
Taukei’aho didn’t attempt to tackle Peter Lakai as the Hurricanes flanker went in for his team’s first try, and limped off shortly afterwards.
He will be a big doubt to play in Saturday night’s showpiece at Eden Park, with Slater also unlikely.
Tyrone Thompson is the other hooker in the Chiefs squad but McMillan said he would likely have to call in additional cover for the final, which could mean bringing in a player from Hamilton club rugby.
Chiefs No.8 Wallace Sititi makes a break against the Hurricanes in his team's semifinal win. (Source: Photosport)
“We’ve had the benefit of having an extra guy in as part of the wider training squad but we haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks.
“They’re likely to come from club rugby somewhere back into the fold and play a big game.
“You work all season to try and plan for moments like this when someone has to step up. It might be on the biggest stage but you just pick them.”
Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson was a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Chiefs No.8 Wallace Sititi, 21, was the standout player of yesterday’s semifinal and his match-up against Blues counterpart Hoskins Sotutu will be highly anticipated.
“I thought he was immense,” McMillan said of Sititi, who set up Cortez Ratima’s try and made 60m off an intercept which led to another. “He had a number of involvements in big plays. He’s got a massive future.
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“There were a lot of good rugby players running out there today and it was talked about in the media that this was like an All Blacks trial of sorts, well if it was then a number of our guys would be putting their names in pencil if not ink.
“You’d have to think he’s as good a chance as anybody. He’s been pretty consistent with his performances.”
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