All Blacks halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow is poised to return to the Chiefs this weekend after missing five Super Rugby games with a broken jaw.
A Chiefs statement said Kerr-Barlow is the only player on a 10-strong injury list expected to return for Friday’s match against the Western Force at Pukekohe, although prop Ben Afeaki was described as a possibility.
Kerr-Barlow, 22, suffered the injury on March 22 against the Highlanders. He played the entire 80 minutes but was later diagnosed with a fracture.
He will be anxious to press his All Blacks claims in the Chiefs’ three remaining games before national coach Steve Hansen names his squad to contest the home series against France next month.
He came off the reserve bench for his first two Tests last November, against Italy and Scotland.
Meanwhile, the 24-man Force squad arrived in Auckland on Tuesday, with two players added to the side who drew 11-11 with the Queensland Reds in Perth on Saturday.
They are flanker Angus Cottrell and centre Chris Tuatara-Morrison.
Western Force squad: Chris Alcock, Richard Brown, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Nick Cummins, Pat Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Jayden Hayward, James Hilterbrand, Matt Hodgson (capt), Ben Jacobs, Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Ben McCalman, Alby Mathewson, Sam Norton-Knight, Junior Rasolea, Brett Sheehan, Heath Tessmann, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes.