In a massive boost, Shaun Stevenson expects to be fit to play for the Chiefs when they face the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park.
The outside back missed the semi-final against the Hurricanes in Wellington after he injured his hamstring.
The All Black of just one cap could have played in the semi-final but chose not over fears he might not be able to compete at his best.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific final, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Etene Nanai-Seturo played in his place with Daniel Rona playing on the flank, which allowed Liam Coombes-Fabling to join the bench.
There is optimism Stevenson will be a feature of the Chiefs’ starting line-up in Auckland who was “pretty close” to starting the semi-final according to coach Clayton McMillan.
“He trained all week, but he just felt in his heart that he wasn’t able to accelerate to the full capacity that he would have liked,” said McMillan.
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“Given the magnitude of the game, he didn’t want to compromise the team, knowing the back three were going to work extremely hard.
“If he wasn’t able to give his best, he didn’t want to be the guy who went out there and blew it in the first 10 minutes and then we were under the pump.
“It was a massive call from him, but the saving grace is we get another week.”
Although Stevenson is expected to return, one man who won’t be is Samisoni Taukei’aho.
He busted his Achilles tendon in the semi-final and replacement Bradley Slater spent much of the match nursing a sore knee, thought to be an MCL injury.
“I was absolutely amazed at the way he carried on,” said Mils Muliaina on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.
With Taukei’aho and Slater potentially MIA, the Chiefs have to consider their options and back-ups for the final.
Tyrone Thompson has been tipped to replace Taukei’aho in the Chiefs’ line-up.
There are also implications for the All Blacks too. A veteran of 30 caps, Taukei’aho was undoubtedly in the running to play for the All Blacks this year under Scott Robertson.
On Sky Sport’s The Breakdown, Justin Marshall suggested Ricky Riccitelli and Kurt Eklund could slip into the squad while Jeff Wilson said George Bell could be a consideration.
If they get desperate, a call to Dane Coles could be made. However, he’s committed to playing in Japan for the time being.