It's a nervous wait for outstanding Highlanders back Richard Buckman - after wrenching his shoulder in the pre-season hit out in Hong Kong last weekend.
Buckman hurt his shoulder while diving to scoring a try against Dan Carter's Racing 92 club.
Coach Jamie Joseph's hoping for the best - and preparing for the worst.
"First look at that during the game, it didn't look very good because he's such a tough bugger that he wouldn't come off unless it was serious," Joseph said.
"Hopefully it's not as bad as it could be."
If Buckman has torn ligaments, it's unlikely he'll play for the Highlanders during their Super Rugby defense.
"The best possible outcomes for us really would be a couple of weeks or couple of months with rehab and he'd be able to play in the season.
"Worst case scenario, he's fully dislocated that shoulder and it's popped back in and he's torn the ligaments."
Joseph said he had a couple of options for Buckman's replacement, including candidates such as Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, or Jason Emery to partner Malakai Fekitoa in midfield.
The Highlanders are back in pre-season action against the Crusaders today, playing on a purpose built ground on a farm at Waimumu in Southland.
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