Fekitoa a doubt for the Highlanders

The Highlanders may be without star centre Malakai Fekitoa for this weekend’s crunch Super Rugby clash with the Blues.

Jamie Joseph’s side are hunting down a wildcard spot in the play-offs and currently sit in fifth place tied on points with the Chiefs and only one ahead of the Waratahs.

The chance to finish fourth and secure a home draw in the first round of knockout matches next weekend remains very much alive, but only a victory will do this Friday, ideally with a try bonus point.

Fekitoa is struggling with a groin injury, with Joseph rating him as ’50-50’.

The Highlander boss added that the side had moved on from the heavy defeat they took against the Hurricanes last weekend.

"I've moved on. We had players there who hadn't played a lot of rugby. Scotty Eade went from playing club rugby in Invercargill to marking one of the best half-backs in the game,” added Joseph.

"So what would staying on that game have meant to us? What would we have learned if we had dwelled on that game for another couple of days?"