Blues lose Profeta to injury

Blues first-five Stephen Perofeta is likely to miss his team's first match of the new Super Rugby season due to a broken bone in his hand.

Perofeta suffered the injury during his team's 45-19 pre-season victory over the Chiefs at Te Kuiti last Friday.

It's a huge blow to the youngster given his commanding form in the match as a replacement and the fact that in Otere Black's injury-enforced absence Perofeta is seen as the Blues' first-choice No10.

Fortunately for the Blues and their coach Tana Umaga, they possess an excellent alternative in Bryn Gatland, who, like Perofeta, shot to prominence during last winter's tour of New Zealand by the British and Irish Lions.

It is unclear how long exactly Perofeta will be out of action.