Rugby: Flanker may miss home playoff

Highlanders' John Hardie damaged his rib cartilage in the game against the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

Flanker John Hardie looks to be the biggest injury concern for the Highlanders as they get into playoff mode. The team will start training today for its first home playoff game in 16 years and could have some key forwards back for the match against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.

No8 Nasi Manu (shoulder) and locks Mark Reddish (broken hand) and Joe Wheeler (knee) could be a chance to play, having recovered from injuries picked up in past weeks.

All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa missed Friday night's victory over the Blues because of an injured groin but hopefully should be right for this week.

Hardie, who damaged rib cartilage in the early stages of the match against the Blues, is the biggest injury concern.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said yesterday Hardie was in a reasonable amount of pain after the game and the extent of the injury was still unclear.

Winger Waisake Naholo also left the field after getting a bang to the elbow in the second half but Joseph said it was not overly serious and Naholo was taken off as a precaution.

The Highlanders will go into the playoff with some confidence, having racked up two wins over the Chiefs this year.

They beat the Chiefs 20-17 in Hamilton in March and smashed them 36-9 in Invercargill in the return leg at the end of last month.

But Joseph knows the match this week will be a different kettle of fish, and the Chiefs will be a changed team from the one which lost heavily in Invercargill.

"We're playing a very good team who will have a lot to play for, and will be highly motivated after what happened to them a couple of weeks ago," Joseph said.

"It's good to be here. With that in mind, we just have to prepare properly and go about our work. It is another game but, in saying that, it is a little bit different.

"The winner goes forward and the loser goes home, so obviously there is a lot at stake. Win, lose or draw, this is finals rugby where every game is going to be really difficult."

Joseph said the Highlanders had learned a lot in the past couple of years.

It will be the first playoff game at the covered stadium, and Joseph said his side deserved to play in front of its fans.

"We've got a big stadium there - and wouldn't it be great if we could fill that? The quality of football that these guys have played, to me, means they deserve a big crowd to come along and support them."