The Chiefs could lose their All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard for up to six weeks after he suffered a chest injury in Sunday's Super 14 match against the Cheetahs in South Africa.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said Leonard injured his chest just before half-time in the 28-10 win over the bottom-placed Cheetahs at Kimberley.

Foster said the injury was a difficult one for which to predict a recovery time, and Leonard could be out for between two to six weeks.

He is staying with the Chiefs camp in South Africa and will be further assessed and observed this week.

The Chiefs have two more games in South Africa, against the Bulls in Pretoria next Saturday and against the Stormers in Cape Town the following week.

The Chiefs reserve halfback David Bason is on his way to South Africa to join the squad. He is the 26th player to join the squad, with a decision on whether to send winger Sitiveni Sivivatu to South Africa to be made later this week.

Foster has already said Sivivatu will not be available for the Bulls match this weekend.

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