Super rugby: Coach Colin Cooper awaiting clearance of key players for quarter-final

The Chiefs are still sweating on the health of a number of key players heading into Friday night's quarter-final clash with the Hurricanes.

The good news for coach Colin Cooper and his squad is that at least three of the six players who missed Friday's playoff dress rehearsal win are on track for the do-or-die encounter.

Nepo Laulala, Damian McKenzie, and Charlie Ngatai are all looking likely, while captain Sam Cane is also confident he'll be cleared after a final gym session and contact training later in the week.

Less promising are the statuses of Nathan Harris, Toni Pulu and Sean Wainui.

"There's a number of guys coming through and going through protocols," said Copper at Monday's training.

"We probably won't be able to confirm the team, to the group anyway, until Wednesday."

"I can't say now, 'yes (they will be available)."

One player Cooper can count on being without is midfielder Johnny Fa'auli, who was dealt a six-week suspension for his shoulder charge last weekend.

It's a verdict the coach has no qualms with, acknowledging that Fa'auli's aggressive approach has him constantly tip-toeing the disciplinary line.

"He's that type of player. He brings physicality, he's just got to get the accuracy right, particularly with the power he brings forward.

"He's very remorseful…he's just got to work on getting lower and he'll be fine."

The Chiefs looked impressive in Friday's 28-24 win, at one stage looking like they may earn the 23-point margin of victory they needed to secure a home quarter-final.

The Hurricanes staged a second half comeback from that 21-0 halftime deficit, and Cooper expects more of what they saw in the second stanza on Friday.

"Both teams can play a more skilled game, and I'm expecting a more skilled game - particularly from the Hurricanes.

"It'll be another level up from what it was on Friday, so we need to be ready for that - our mind set needs to be ready. It's like a war, and (we need) to get ready for it."

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