Inspirational Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo is in doubt for the Super 14 rugby semi-final against the Crusaders on Saturday.

So'oialo suffered bruised ribs during last Friday's 17-19 loss to the Blues and coach Colin Cooper was clearly doubtful about whether the All Blacks No.8 would be fit for the match in Christchurch.

Halfback Piri Weepu also sat out a light training session because of a tight hamstring but was not providing Cooper with the same headache.

"Piri's okay, we expect him to be fine, Rodney's probably our concern," Cooper said.

"He's got (injured) ribs. We'll monitor him and make a decision during the week."

It's an unlikely any Hurricanes player would be greater loss than So'oialo, who has started every game this season and has not let his workaholic standards drop.

"You can't get more important than the captain," Cooper said.

The Crusaders' injury list is also topped by their No.8, with Mose Tuiali'i suffering a blow to his knee during their 26-14 loss the Highlanders last Saturday although the indications are that he will be fit for selection.

Both teams have decent loose forward depth, with Scott Waldrom or brother Thomas likely to start if So'oialo is ruled out.

Another member of the Hurricanes' international loose trio, Jerry Collins, has only just returned from bruised ribs which sidelined him for three games.

Both coaches took the chance to reflect on their final-round losses and what impact they may have mentally during the buildup this week.

While disappointed that defeat to the Blues meant the Hurricanes ceded a home ground semifinal, Cooper reckoned the scale of the match in Auckland had set his team up well.

"You couldn't ask for a better buildup," he said.

"We went up there in front of 37,000 people, both teams had to win at all costs.

"The intensity of that game was similar to a semifinal, and our buildup process this week will be very similar to the Blues."

His players were not regretting the loss of home ground advantage.

"Losing a home semi, especially for the fans, was disappointing because it's a game we could have won.

"Now we've just got to do it the hard way."

Robbie Deans was understandably keen to put the shock defeat to the Highlanders behind him but was obviously referring to it when asked about the need for focus this week.

"If we don't have the urgency and the excitement, we'll come a distant second," Deans said.

"That's just the reality, but I'm sure it will be there ... we're not going to spend any time looking back.

"We'll obviously take some messages out of it and hopefully take some meaning out of it."

Fullback Leon MacDonald was more blunt about the performance, suggesting the players were stung by their limp 12-point defeat.

"They (Highlanders) had no tomorrow basically, and they came out and played like that.

"We thought we were ready for them but we just didn't match them intensity-wise and we were made to look silly."

Deans did not want to blame his senior players for the lacklustre final-round performance, even though All Blacks such as five-eighth Daniel Carter, lock Ali Williams and flanker Richie McCaw played well below their lofty standards.

"Everyone has the opportunity to initiate," Deans said.

Centre Casey Laulala and flanker Kieran Read are likely to return this week but Deans said a hardening of resolve would be more important than any change to personnel or tactics.

"We're doing our homework and we'll come up with some ideas that can serve us," Deans said.

"But at this time of year, it will come down to more than just an idea, it will come down to making it happen."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP