Super Rugby champions the Chiefs will be without All Blacks loose forward Sam Cane for the start of the season because of a knee injury.
Cane scored a first-half try but was later helped off the field during the Chiefs' 43-19 win over the Blues in a pre-season match on Friday night in Rotorua.
Coach Dave Rennie says the 22-year-old openside flanker faces a few weeks on the sidelines.
He says Cane's leg was caught in an awkward position and then he was twisted on his back.
The Chiefs, who are chasing their third title in a row, open their campaign against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night.
The Crusaders also won their final pre-season hitout, downing the Hurricanes 45-15 in Levin.
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