The Chiefs will be without Stephen Donald for at least a month after the five-eighth was diagnosed with a back injury from the Super Rugby match against the Sharks at Hamilton on Friday.

X-rays have identified that Donald sustained fractures to the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, very similar to fellow All Blacks and Chiefs stalwart Mils Muliaina and it is estimated he will miss about four weeks of the season.

Nuliana was injured in the match against the Rebels two weeks ago.

The Chiefs ended the Sharks' unbeaten run with a gritty 15-9 win.

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