The loss of second tier rugby players overseas is approaching crisis point according to Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.
With an ever mounting injury toll to their backline the Chiefs sought permission from the New Zealand Rugby Union to bring a player back from overseas but were refused.
The defending Super rugby champions have backs Gareth Anscombe, Richard Kahui, Andrew Horrell and Tim Nanai Williams out for the season or several weeks and are strugling to find backup players.
Rennie says they've approached several local players but they already had overseas contracts lined up and he questions whether the NZRU is completely aware of the situation.
