A decision is expected soon on whether Sam Whitelock has recovered sufficiently from concussion to play in the last round of Super Rugby before leading the All Blacks against France.
The Crusaders face the Chiefs in Hamilton this weekend but the NZ skipper remains in doubt after being restricted to the role of spectator at All Blacks training today.
With the first test against France at Eden Park just 11 days away, the 96-test international took no part in today's All Blacks training session as he continues his recovery from a concussion that's kept him out of recent Super Rugby.
His Crusaders and All Blacks locking partner Scott Barrett says the skipper just needs time and space.
"The last thing he wants is someone saying 'how's your head? how's your head?' As a mate you feel for him, and hopefully he's out there this weekend or whenever he's feeling alright.
Ryan Crotty has also been sidelined with concussion of late, but unlike Whitelock, he was involved in Tuesday's run. He'll go head to head with a Chiefs midfield that includes fellow All Black Anton Lienert-Brown.
"Obviously we are good mates in this environment but for 80 minutes on Saturday it's going to be a different story.
A decision on both Whitelock and Crotty's availability for Hamilton is not far away, according to Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Whitelock's absence has opened the door for the likes of Quinten Strange - who started in the win over the Hurricanes. This weekend he could lock horns with Brodie Retallick.
He's a key figure for the Chiefs and the All Blacks, but was emphatic earlier this week when asked about his captaincy ambitions at any level.
"I don't mind being a leader, but there's a lot of admin that comes with being captain so I might leave that to them," says Retallick.
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