Augustine Pulu ruled out for 6 weeks with foot injury

The Blues will be without their captain Augustine Pulu for six weeks due to a foot injury.

The 28-year-old two-test All Blacks sustained the injury in the 66th minute of the Blues' 27-21 loss to the Chiefs on Friday.

Pulu's defection will leave the vastly less experienced Sam Nock and Otago recruit Jonathan Ruru to share No 9 duties in crucial clashes against the Lions and Stormers.

The Blues have lost both of their opening matches and are now on their way to South Africa to face the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday.