Rugby: Mathewson and Saili expected to face Chiefs

Alby Mathewson. Photo / Ron Burgin

The calf injury that forced All Black halfback Alby Mathewson from the field in their hit-out against the Hurricanes at Kerikeri is not expected to stop him taking the field this week.

The Blues won their penultimate pre-season match 33-22, but Mathewson played only a small part, leaving the field with a calf strain early.

North Harbour halfback Chris Smylie played the rest of the match.

Yesterday, a Blues spokesman described Mathewson's calf strain as slight and said if it had been a competition match, he would have almost certainly carried on.

Loose forward Peter Saili was also cleared of serious injury.

In the final minute of the match, he was left writhing on the ground clutching his shoulder, as big Hurricanes wing Julian Savea was charging in for his second try.

Initial fears were a break that could have seen him sidelined for the Super Rugby alongside big lock Liaki Moli, who will undergo surgery for a shoulder injury sustained during last year's national provincial championship.

Saili's injury, while painful, was diagnosed as a stinger and he should face no further repercussions.

Coach Pat Lam said he was pleased with the nature of the Blues' win against the Hurricanes, despite conceding four tries while scoring three.

Lam ran some eye-catching backline combinations that included Jared Payne at centre and Isaia Toeava at fullback.

"We're blessed with guys who can play in many positions and we're just working through the combinations," Lam said.

"We're coming together nicely. The senior boys are leading the team well and most importantly it was a step up on our Highlanders game the week before.

"We need to go another level in our last game before we play the Crusaders."

The Blues will meet the Chiefs in their final pre-season match at Pukekohe on Friday, before kicking off their Super Rugby campaign against the Crusaders at Eden Park on February 19.