New Zealand back row faces eight weeks on sidelines

Blues back row Jerome Kaino could be out for the rest of the Super Rugby season after suffering a fractured finger.

All Black Kaino sustained a compound fracture of the ring finger on his left hand during his club's 41-24 win over Western Force on Saturday.

The injury may keep Kaino out for eight weeks, which would see him miss the remainder of the campaign.

"The bone came out of the skin but from what the doctors have been saying it looks a lot worse than what it is," Kaino told The Sunday Star Times

"Worst-case scenario they say eight weeks. Best case scenario I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

"I wasn't nauseous. I was thinking how to get it back in place and if it was going to hurt. It was a bit numb to start off with but when the doctor started trying to wiggle it back in place that's when the pain started coming."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen also saw Charles Piutau pick up a knee injury in the same game, with the Blues full-back suspected to have medial knee ligament damage that would keep him out for the rest of the season.

Hurricanes and New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett hurt his knee in a 29-23 victory against Crusaders, although the knock is not thought to be serious and he is likely to be given just a week off to recover.