All Blacks facing real trial of depth as first

WELLINGTON: All Black coach Steve Hansen squad’s depth for the first test against France on Saturday seems likely to face a severe test after a string of injuries over the past few days further reduced his already depleted his stocks.

The All Blacks were always going to be without captain Kieran Read, who is still recovering from back surgery, but the No 8 has been joined on the casualty list by a handful of other firstchoice players.

The latest was Brodie Retallick, who suffered a pectoral injury playing for the Chiefs against the Crusaaders on Saturday night.

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said yesterday the injury was serious and Retallick was unlikely to face the French in Auckland.

Standin skipper Sam Whitelock, Retallick’s secondrow partner, must also be rated doubtful for the Eden Park contest after missing the Crusaders’ past three matches because of concussion symptoms.

Cooper had marginally better news about All Black openside flanker Sam Cane, who, he said, might not have been a late withdrawal from the Chiefs’ bench with an abdominal strain had the match been a playoff game.

Crusaders No 8 Jordan Taufua (calf) and centre Jack Goodhue (hamstring) were unable to take to the field to face the Chiefs because of injuries.

Hansen last week called up Chiefs prop Karl Tu’inukuafe to his squad as cover for Tim Perry (hamstring) and will have been relieved to hear the loosehead