Double All Black blow for Blues

 

The Auckland side picked up their second win of the season against the Force on Saturday, but the victory came at a dear price with skipper Kaino and fullback Piutau both going down injured.

 

Abrasive loose forward Kaino sustained a compound fracture of his finger which saw the bone pop out of his skin, sidelining him for the next eight weeks.

 

Ulster-bound Piutau suffered another injury to his left knee, with suspected medial ligament damage which would be a recurrence of an injury that kept him out of the game for two months last year. Piutau will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season but will be available for the All Black Test programme starting in July.

 

"It's similar to last year against the Chiefs. He can't feel anything so we'll have to get him scanned. It could be a wee while," coach John Kirwan told Sunday Star Times.

 

Kaino got his finger caught in the jersey of Force wing Nick Cummins, and had his arm in a sling along with stitches in his finger.

 

"The bone came out of the skin but from what the doctors have been saying it looks a lot worse than what it is.

 

"Worst case scenario they say eight weeks. Best case scenario I'll be back in a couple of weeks," he said.

 

The World Cup winner said that his finger only really started to hurt once it had been put back in place.

 

"I wasn't nauseous. I was thinking how to get it back in place and if it was going to hurt. It was a bit numb to start off with but when the doctor started trying to wiggle it back in place that's when the pain started coming.

 

"It's the first time I've done something like this. I'll hope for the best when the X-rays come through tomorrow," he added.

 

Flank Luke braid is also out of action following a repeat concussion and his return is uncertain. While flyhalf Daniel Bowden will miss the Blues' next encounter against the Rebels on Friday with a groin strain.