Tuipulotu out for ABs tests

over the Waratahs in Sydney when he took a knock to the affected area in the warmup, but played through the pain as the Blues dug deep to continue that Kiwi win streak over the Aussies.

But last Friday night against the Hurricanes at Eden Park he took a further blow, and this time the outcome has not been so positive.

Tuipulotu has been designated with a ‘‘serious’’ shoulder problem that is likely to remove him from action for several weeks. A team spokesman said he was ‘‘extremely doubtful’’ to be fit in time to face the French in the three-test series which kicks off at Eden Park on June 9.

The Blues are not banking on having their 25-year-old 16-test lock on board for either of their remaining Super Rugby matches before the June test interlude – against the Crusaders on Saturday night at Eden Park, and the Rebels at the same venue on June 2. His left arm was in a sling at training yesterday.

Given Tuipulotu’s precarious position in the national squad anyway, it’s likely the All Blacks selectors now run with three specialist locks – skipperdesignate Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett – and use Hurricanes utility Vaea Fifita to cover both second row and blindside flank.

Tuipulotu has played in 16 tests in a stop-start All Blacks career since 2014. He made four appearances last season, but had been showing glimpses of his best form for the struggling Blues before the shoulder problems struck.

The All Blacks will announce their squad of 33 for the French series on Sunday in Auckland.