Injured All Blacks captain Kieran Read is a doubtful starter for the June international series against France.
And hooker Dane Coles may be sitting alongside him in the stands.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has told NZME 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 unlike to be available for June."
Newshub.
