Sivivatu poised for return to top flight

Flying wing Sitiveni Sivivatu is poised to make his keenly-anticipated return to rugby.

The electric Fijian has been sidelined since dislocating his shoulder in last year's NPC. Surgery, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation, have left the 22-year-old cooling his heels on the sideline this year.

The Chiefs have long had Friday night's match against the Hurricanes in Wellington pencilled in for his return. For the last few weeks, Sivivatu has been running freely while avoiding heavy contact work, and is itching to get back into action.

Sivivatu was seeing a surgeon for a final clearance on his shoulder yesterday. All going well, he'll be back to face the Hurricanes when coach Ian Foster names his team today.

"We are pretty keen for him this week," Foster said.

"And he's pretty keen. He's had a long time off and although most players enjoy training to a certain extent, it gets frustrating."

Sivivatu has his eye on an All Black jersey and his form last year had pushed his name higher up the contenders list, which at this point is headed by the in-form Rico Gear and the incumbents, Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett.

A series of slashing performances for the Pacific Islanders, for whom he scored two tries against both the All Blacks and South Africa, and Waikato had the All Black selectors sitting up.

He bagged seven in eight games for Waikato, including five in their 59-11 tonking of Auckland before the shoulder blew up.

The injury layoff has meant a late start to his bid for a black jersey against the Lions. Then again, neither Blues winger has exactly inked his name in with ordinary early Super 12 form.

One player likely to be missing today is experienced fullback Adrian Cashmore, due to the impending birth of a child.

Foster confirmed lock Keith Robinson is making good progress from his long layoff after back surgery.

He played half a game for Morrinsville against Fraser Tech in a club match over Easter. He was blowing hard, but Foster said the encouraging aspect was no discomfort in the back.

Robinson did some work during the two-day camp at Whangamata early last week, but the Chiefs aren't about to rush him back into action, despite needing all hands to the pump as they look to lift themselves up the table.

Foster said Robinson had had a big couple of weeks, but the Chiefs were still adopting a steady-as-she-goes philosophy over the rugged All Black.

One player who will be absent when the team is named is prop Simms Davison, who suffered bruising in his back against the Blues in round three and has not trained since.

Foster said: "He started the Super 12 pretty well and it's a shame the injury came when it did."