The Highlanders will have an almost injury free squad to pick from for next Saturday night's game against the Chiefs in Invercargill.
The side has recovered well from its torrid 6-0 win over the Crusaders at Carisbrook on Saturday night and reported no major injuries. The only player who will definitely not be available is prop Jamie Mackintosh, who is recovering from a knee injury. The side travels to Invercargill on Friday and coach Glenn Moore said the team was really looking forward to playing at Rugby Park.
"We definitely see it as a home game and want to put on a good show for the people of Invercargill," Moore said.
"We can have two home grounds."
The Highlanders team could feature up to four Southlanders, with more on the bench, and the team will wear its away jersey, which is dominated by the Southland maroon colour. The southern franchise has a dispensation from the New Zealand Rugby Union to wear the away jersey, although technically it will be playing at home.
The side travels to Invercargill on Friday afternoon. It plays again in Invercargill on April 11, against the Reds. Moore said the win over the Crusaders was a bruising encounter and the Highlanders had their chances.
"We were just trying to push some things at times, but overall it was a hard fought battle.
"But it was a win over the Crusaders."
Moore said his players' defence was outstanding, but they had done a lot of work in this area of their game over the past few weeks. The first win of the season left the Highlanders in 12th place, but the fifth placed Blues were just four points ahead. Moore said he did not take a look at the table until at least halfway through the season.
He just focused on collecting points. Moore felt the Chiefs would be a formidable side. They, like the Highlanders, had started the season with three losses, but had recorded their first win at the weekend, beating the Force 31-13.
The Hamilton-based side sits eighth on the table. It will be without fullback Sosene Anesi, who has a shoulder injury and is out for three to six weeks. All Black fullback Mils Muliaina has missed the past two games with a sore back and will be assessed throughout the week, while big loose forward Sione Lauaki is getting over a minor hamstring strain and his availability will be decided later in the week.
Crusaders and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is likely to be sidelined for at least five weeks following a medial ligament strain to his right knee.
McCaw was injured in the first half of his team's loss to the Highlanders on Saturday, the defending champions' third straight defeat of the season.
Coach Todd Blackadder said yesterday he hoped to have the openside flanker back in the squad for the three-game trip to South Africa which begins with a match against the Sharks in Durban on April 18, followed by the Cheetahs in Durban on April 25 and the Lions in Johannesburg on May 1.
"It's never a good time to lose one of the best players in world rugby but it's a good opportunity for George Whitelock to step up.
"He played very well against the Brumbies when Richie was ruled out earlier in the season and I'm sure he'll do very well in our next game against the Force at Christchurch on Saturday."
Also missing for the foreseeable future will be wing Jared Payne, who suffered a high ankle sprain against the Highlanders, and centre Casey Laulala, who injured his shoulder against the Hurricanes.
Blackadder is hopeful of having experienced fullback Leon MacDonald, who injured his shoulder in the Crusaders round-one victory over the Chiefs, back in time to play the Force.
Wing Kade Poki has an ankle injury and is unlikely to play on Saturday while another wing, Sean Maitland, is recovering from a hamstring strain and will not be fit in time.
