Read & Coles in doubt for June Tests

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has reported that All Blacks captain Kieran Read and hooker Dane Coles are doubtful starters for the June international series against France.

In an interview with NZME, Hansen has said that the national side would take a very cautious approach to their return from injury, given neither have fronted for their Super Rugby teams so far this season. 

Read had off-season back surgery for a pinched nerve, while Coles had surgery on a ruptured ACL knee ligament.  "I don't think he'll be back until after the French series, but that's not a fait accompli at this point," Hansen told NZME about Read. 

"We'll just take our time. He knows his body and we can't afford to come back too early, and miss another six months and maybe even miss the World Cup." 

Meanwhile, Coles is having trouble straightening his leg. "He's gone back to the surgeon and the surgeon has put him back in a brace at night to try to help him get full extension," said Hansen. 

"Once that happens, he'll make progress pretty quickly. He is unlikely to be available for June."

Codie Taylor is the front-runner to wear the no.2 jersey, with Coles out injured, having started all three tests against the Lions last June while Liam Squire, Akira Ioane and Luke Whitelock are the players been tipped to replace Read.