WELLINGTON, (Pakistan Point News - 28th july,2016) - The Wellington Hurricanes are prepared to wait as late as possible before their Super Rugby semi-final kick off against the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday for talismanic skipper Dane Coles to prove his fitness. Coles is struggling to overcome a severe rib injury in time to lead his side in Wellington, while the Golden Lions host the travelling Otago Highlanders in the second semi in Johannesburg.
Of the final four, only the Hurricanes and Lions have never won the southern hemisphere championship and the Lions also have injury issues with calf problems putting a question mark over captain Warren Whitely. The Chiefs, back-to-back winners in 2012 and 2013, received a boost midweek when their captain Sam Cane was cleared to play after suffering concussion in their 60-21 thrashing of the Western Stormers last week. The Hurricanes, who lost last year's final to the Highlanders, draw inspiration from the uncompromising attitude of Coles who suffered a severe blow to the ribs in their quarter-final victory over the Coastal Sharks.
Coach Chris Boyd has bracketed Coles with Ricky Riccitelli at hooker for the Chiefs clash but said he would give his captain "every opportunity" to prove his fitness. "Colesy is improving each day and doing everything he can to get himself fit, but at the end of the day we just won't know until a little closer to kick off," Boyd said.