Fiji-born All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is expected to recover in time for the Tri Nations decider between New Zealand and Australia in Brisbane next weekend.

Sivivatu was ruled out of the midweek test against Samoa on Wednesday night but has been bracketed to replace injured Anthony Tuitavake next Saturday.

Tuitavake will not feature in next week's Test with the Wallabies after he broke a cheekbone in the midweek slaughter of Samoa.

While initial reports said strains, bumps and bruises were the worst All Blacks damage from the 101-14 victory at New Plymouth, subsequent x-rays revealed that Tuitavake had broken a bone in his face and would miss about six weeks of rugby.

The All Blacks reassemble and fly out to Brisbane on Sunday and have decided they can cover Tuitavake's absence from within their squad with Richard Kahui, Sivivatu, Wulf and Isaia Toeava all capable of playing on the wing.

The All Blacks left regular captain Richie McCaw, lock Brad Thorn and wing Sivivatu out of the side which played Samoa because of injury but were adamant that trio and prop John Afoa would recover for the Tri-Nations decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Fijilive

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