Colin Slade has endured a terrible run with injuries © Getty Images

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Match Pack: Western Force pip Highlanders in Perth

Matches: Highlanders 38 - 28 Blues

Colin Slade is gradually making up for lost time and he is keen to take another step in his rugby rehabilitation when the Highlanders host the Blues in Super Rugby round 16 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Slade has broken his jaw twice, broken a tibia and a fibula and undergone groin surgery as his career has stalled for much of the past two years, but the Rugby World Cup 2011 winner believes he is building towards the form that saw him gain national honours. "There's been a fair bit of getting the rust out but I've been improving and some parts of my game are coming together quite nicely," he said. "There are still some areas I need to tick but I'm working hard. It will just take time. I tend to dwell on the things I should be doing better.

"I started this season behind the eight ball with my injuries, and it's not been ideal, but I feel I'm gradually getting there. I don't think much about the injuries now, which is a good thing. I'm getting fitter and faster, and I'm heading in the right direction. I'm not at the level I was before the injuries so the more game time I get the better. A lot of people didn't think I would play again [when] I broke my leg last year, but I don't see why I should have given up.

"It is tough to come back again after so many injuries. I guess a lot of people would have gone overseas or retired. But I've hung in, I've really fought to get back, and that's pleased me. I've come a fair way but there's still a fair distance to go."

Slade kicked a late 51-metre penalty that seemed set to clinch victory for the Highlanders over Western Force in Perth last week, but a dangerous late tackle by wing Tino Nemani gifted the Force an opportunity to snatch a 19-18 win. "The loss was pretty hard to take," Slade said. "We needed to win, and I thought we did enough to do so."

Slade said it would be interesting this weekend to observe how the Blues responded to their loss to the Brumbies in Auckland, and coach John Kirwan's subsequent tongue lashing.

"I'm sure they'll come out firing but we can only control what we do," he said. "The boys were a bit jaded after the tour of Africa, but they've had a bit of a break this week and we're really fizzing to get back into it. We'd love to spoil the party for some other teams, and the Blues are on the edge of the top six. It's a big game for them but it would be great for us to tip them up."

Highlanders: Ben Smith; Trent Renata, Tamati Ellison, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear; Colin Slade, Fumiaki Tanaka; Mose Tuiali'i, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata; Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn; Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Jamie Mackintosh. Replacements: Liam Coltman, Bronson Murray, Elliot Dixon, TJ Ioane, Aaron Smith, Hayden Parker, Ma'a Nonu.