The Chiefs first-five Aaron Cruden may be back in action sooner than first thought.
Cruden broke his thumb playing against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend and it was thought he could be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
However the Chiefs now say that after further assessment it's been decided that Cruden doesn't require an operation and will return to play within six weeks.
The All Blacks' first Test against England is in nine weeks.
