A bung eye won't knock inspirational Highlanders No.8 Nasi Manu out of the Super Rugby final.
The Highlanders co-captain was forced off the field in the 69th minute of the semi-final against the Waratahs last weekend because his right eye had closed over, sparking fears he would be scratched from the final against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.
The wound was still clearly visible when he fronted for media duties in Dunedin on Friday, but Manu, who will join Scottish club Edinburgh after the showdown at Westpac Stadium, dismissed the idea he won't be available for the Highlanders' first final since 1999.
Highlanders' co-captain Nasi Manu says he can see well despite having difficulty opening one eye, injured in the Super Rugby semi-final last weekend.
"I can see and training yesterday was good," he said.
"The muscle [in the eye lid] has stopped working, it doesn't want to open."
Although uncertain whether the injury would be a long-term problem, he was adamant there was no way it would be prevent him facing the Hurricanes.
"It won't stop me from playing. It is not much of an injury."
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has named an unchanged starting side from the one that ran out 35-17 winners against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium. Joseph has named a six-two forwards split on the bench, no doubt hoping he can rotate his pack to keep the pace of the game locked at a high-tempo - something that worked so well against the Waratahs.
Manu said he planned to travel to Christchurch next week to sort out his visas for working in Scotland, but his determination to keep a clear head meant he had decided - thanks to the encouragement of his partner Alice Riach - not to start packing until after the final.
"I am trying not to think about it [his last game for the Highlanders] too much," he said.
"It is just exciting to be able to play a final in my last game. It is not about me. I just hope I can do well out there for the boys."
Unlike the Waratahs, who tried to use their big forwards to bustle the Highlanders into making mistakes but couldn't master their own lineout and were given the run around by the run-and-gun tactics employed by the visitors, the Hurricanes won't be so one-dimensional.
"Obviously the Hurricanes play a lot different than the Waratahs," Manu said.
"The key is whatever team is going to cope with the pressure, the discipline - what team is going to gel the most."
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