Rugby: Hurricanes players in fitness race

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett will also hope third-string hooker Ash Dixon (shoulder) is fit for this week. Photo / Getty Images

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett will have the depth of his squad tested this week as his men eye another must-win Super Rugby encounter against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.

By beating the Crusaders 16-9 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, the Hurricanes kept their playoff push alive.

The problem is their victory at the weekend saw Alapati Leiua (ankle) and Victor Vito (calf) suffer potential season-ending injuries, while hookers Dane Coles (calf) and Motu Matu'u (shoulder) also took heavy knocks.

Scans and tests will be run today, which will give a better indication of their health but the fifth-placed Hurricanes can start to think about knockout rugby.

The two-time defending-champion Chiefs were stung 29-25 by the Highlanders in Dunedin last Friday and seem ready to be tipped over in Hamilton this week.

Hammett will also hope third-string hooker Ash Dixon (shoulder) is fit for this week as the Hawkes Bay rake could be needed to play crucial minutes. With centre Conrad Smith (broken thumb) also unavailable for Friday's game, Hammett is down a number of starters.

"Other teams are in the same situation as we are and we've got to manage that," Hammett said. "Even though we've got a short turnaround, sometimes that's good. You can't sit round and think too long, you've just got to get in there and start focusing on a Chiefs side that will be pretty hurt."

Hurricanes lock Blade Thomson, recalled to the starting side in place of James Broadhurst, bagged a try in each half, which helped lay the groundwork for Saturday's win.

"It sort of felt like a real test match. We are really proud of the guys," Hammett said.

The Hurricanes have a bye in the final week of the season and may still need to rely on a couple of results falling their way even if they do win this Friday but a victory would all but punch their card for the post-season.

Another loss for the Chiefs would likely end their faint title hopes.