Rugby: Sivivatu's injury mars Chiefs' win

The Chiefs' Arizona Taumalolo shows his stuff during their 50-26 win over the Reds in Brisbane. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs' thrilling surge to lead New Zealand's challenge for the Super 14 title came with one gloomy forecast about wizard wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.

His high-voltage tryscoring exploits are on hold this week because of a shoulder problem, with some concern he may have suffered longer-term damage, during the Chiefs 50-26 win over the Reds.

Those worries will not be resolved until Sivivatu has x-rays today, but coach Ian Foster confirmed he did not expect to have the wing for the Chiefs' next match against the Lions in Hamilton on Saturday.

"We do not know to what extent he has hurt his shoulder; it could be mildly dislocated, it could be a strained ligament," he said.

"It could be a significant injury - we have to wait - but the medical staff are quite concerned about him.

"It is probably the result of all the downward pressure on the ball," Foster noted sarcastically, after his wing was denied another try.

Sivivatu's injury ended a 15-minute cameo in which he scored three times but was awarded only two because a touch judge ruled he had bounced another attempt and refused to go to the television match official for a second opinion.

Three early tries, five by halftime; the match was done and dusted by the interval as the Chiefs led 37-12 to continue the form which destroyed the Blues a week ago. This was more of the same thrilling enterprise mixed with forward grit and attention to setpiece needs.

"If anything we have gone wider and been freer with our play," Foster said.

"The decision-making has been good. We saw the space and we had the structure and skills to get the ball into those areas.

"We are enjoying what we are doing. The forwards have been giving us a great platform, but we know it will be tough with four South African sides to follow."

The scrum has steadied markedly; the lineouts have drawn steady possession from Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke and Liam Messam; the loosies have busted the breakdowns; Sione Lauaki has rampaged constructively while the backs have had room to deliver their magic.

From Brendon Leonard to Mils Muliaina, the class, enterprise and skill oozes through a backline which might be the most potent provincial collection on the globe.

Even when Sivivatu went off, there was rarely a stumble. His replacement Dwayne Sweeney, after a yellow-card glitch for a clumsy tackle, was all bustle alongside the gliding forays and pummelling defence from Richard Kahui.

Stephen Donald and Callum Bruce organised the plays from the inside channels, and while Lelia Masaga did not score, he demanded double-teaming from the Reds defenders.

"We had some tired boys," Foster admitted. "But we got into our groove well. The Reds were stronger than the scoreboard would suggest. They had good spells and brought pressure, but we were able to be clinical."

The Reds fancied their chances after beating the Sharks before they went into their bye week.

The demands on the Chiefs will be more of the same.

"The team is tracking well, but it is only round seven in a tight competition," Foster said.

"We have responded exactly in the way that was needed after our early losses. We are not too much into our planning yet for the Lions but we will appreciate the home advantage."

Sweeney was called to a judicial hearing yesterday in Brisbane which decided his yellow card was sufficient punishment for his indiscretion.