All Black Tanerau Latimer is hopeful of being able to have a hitout before the Super 14 rugby season starts in just over two weeks.
The flanker had knee surgery before Christmas after returning from the All Blacks' Northern Hemisphere tour and missed the Chiefs' first pre-season outing last week against the Highlanders.
He will also sit out against the Blues in Albany on Friday night, but has his fingers crossed for the final practice match next week against the Hurricanes in Rotorua.
"The knee is coming along really well," he said today.
"I started running last week and the physio and trainers are very happy with it. I'll know later whether I'll be able to play against the Hurricanes but it's a real possibility."
Latimer, 23, suffered the injury in the last match of the tour, the 25-18 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham.
It was his sixth appearance for the All Blacks, for whom he made his text debut in the home series against France in June.
After playing in the victory over Italy in Christchurch later that month, Latimer was told to work on his tackle technique, with more aggression being demanded of him.
He did the work and made the tour party, but he said defence was an aspect of his game that he was continually looking to improve.
Elevation to All Black status has given Latimer a lift ahead of the new Super 14 season, which begins for the Chiefs with a trek to South Africa and matches against the Sharks and the Lions.
"I've definitely noticed a change in my confidence," he said.
"Once you're an All Black, you're expected to play like one." Latimer said it would be a case of wait and see as to the effect of a change to the way Super 14 referees will interpret the breakdown law.
In a bid to make the game more of an attacking spectacle, the tackler will no longer have unlimited rights to go for the ball.
Instead, the tackler will have to release the tackled player completely and get to his feet before competing for the ball.
Latimer said the Chiefs spent 40 minutes of their training session this morning focusing on the new interpretation.
"Basically it's to stop people hanging around," he said.
"Once you've made your tackle, you have to get on your feet as soon as you can. If you can't, you have to roll away."
A noted scavenger at the breakdown, Latimer agreed that the change would make his job harder, but it would be the same for his opposite number.
"I guess we will wait and see," he said.
"If it clears up a lot of the confusion at the breakdown, it will be good."
