Injury concerns mount for All Blacks

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen may need to adjust his plans for the opening test match against France next week after a number of his charges did not take the field in round 16 of Super Rugby.

The list of uncertainties got even longer following the Crusaders' 34-20 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The All Blacks were already dealing with a number of injury concerns before the weekend and the list got longer with Sam Cane, Jordan Taufua and Jack Goodhue all withdrawing before kickoff, while Brodie Retallick lasted only 40 minutes after injuring his shoulder.

Chiefs co-captain Cane was meant to return after five weeks out with an abdominal strain, but he was scratched from a bench role before kickoff.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed Taufua's injury was the calf one he had been carrying, while Goodhue's is a hamstring, with Robertson explaining it tightened up right at the end of their main training on Thursday.

New All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock alongside centre Ryan Crotty did not feature this weekend with both players struggling with concussions and were not risked against the Chiefs.

Earlier in the week, it was confirmed that Sonny-Bill Williams will also miss the June Tests.