Back pains hamper the Chiefs

The Chiefs' injury problems are nearing crisis point, especially in the forwards, with their Super 12 opener just 11 days away.

A series of back injuries have struck at the heart of their pack, which means the odds are lengthening on Ian Foster's side repeating their last year's semifinals appearance.

Captain Jono Gibbes is in doubt for the start of the campaign because of a lower back injury suffered in Friday's trial game against the Brumbies.

Gibbes was already in some doubt because of a persistent calf problem, first suffered on the All Blacks' end of year tour.

With two other highly influential forwards, Keith Robinson and Tom Willis, out at least until early April, and their No 1 prop Deacon Manu also struggling with a back problem, the Chiefs look like they will have a shaky start.

Gibbes had a scan after the game in Wagga Wagga, which revealed "significant muscle damage", team manager Glenn Ross said.

The Chiefs, who play their final trial against the Highlanders in Rotorua on Thursday, will open their campaign against the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday next week.

The latest injury might force a re-think on who the Chiefs make available for the tsunami relief game at Twickenham, which will take the player out of round two and probably round three.

Gibbes or Steven Bates had been targeted, but if Gibbes was sidelined it might be seen as too harsh to have hard-working No 8 Bates - the likely captain in Gibbes' absence - also missing.

Sione Lauaki damaged an ankle in the Wagga Wagga trial but is expected to recover quickly.

Meanwhile, the Blues reported no injury problems from their narrow trial loss to the Hurricanes in Hastings on Friday night.