All Blacks v France: Jack Goodhue an injury doubt for opener

Jack Goodhue was scratched late from the Crusaders' 34-20 win over Chiefs on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

An ill-timed hamstring injury could hamper Jack Goodhue's chances of making his test debut for the All Blacks.

The Kawakawa midfielder was absent from the Crusaders' 34-20 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, joining Ryan Crotty, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock and Sam Cane on the sidelines.

He was a late scratching a day out from the last match before the international window.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said it would be touch and go on Goodhue's fitness for the opening test on Saturday.

"Jack Goodhue's hamstring just tightened up right at the end of our training on Thursday, it was very light as well because we were managing the loads from the [All Blacks] camps," he said.

"It was a bit less than we normally do, and he tested [Friday] and it wasn't quite right.

"It's up to the All Blacks now and he'll go into camp and they'll assess it during the week but I hope he's available."

The injury comes at a bad time for both Goodhue and the All Blacks.

With Sonny Bill Williams ruled out of the series after undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee and Crotty's concussion issues, Goodhue seemed likely to be given a good crack during the series and was a potential starter for the first test of the year.

But now he joins a growing injury tally that will no doubt concern Steve Hansen.

Goodhue, Taufua, Williams and Crotty are either in doubt or ruled out of the opener. Locks Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are also in trouble, though the seriousness of Retallick's pectoral injury is yet to be determined.