Rugby: Brodie Retallick likely to miss All Blacks opener against France

Brodie Retallick. Photo / Photosport

Add Brodie Retallick to the growing list of All Blacks likely to be forced out of the first test against France due to injury.

A pectoral injury suffered in the first half of the Chiefs' loss to the Crusaders in Hamilton at the weekend has put the 27-year-old's immediate playing future in doubt.

With Sonny Bill Williams (knee) and Tim Perry (hamstring) already ruled out for the series, Retallick's injury could see him in the same boat.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admitted Retallick's situation was a cause for concern.

"That injury is, short-term, probably a couple of weeks. Long-term, could be out for the whole season," Hansen told Newstalk ZB's Martin Devlin. "Until we get some imagery and get him up in front of our medical crew [in Auckland] we won't have too much of an idea."

A standout performer for the Chiefs this season, Retallick was taken from the field of Saturday night's clash against the Crusaders at halftime. Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said after the match that the injury appeared to be minor. On Sunday morning, however, he told RadioLIVE the injury was worse than initially thought.

Fellow starting All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock was also entering the week ahead under an injury cloud as he makes his way back from a concussion, however Hansen was confident the Crusaders lock would play.

"He tells me he's ready to go, he's been doing some good training and we expect he'll be fine."

Whitelock has missed the Crusaders past three Super Rugby matches, last playing an 80-minute effort against the Waratahs on May 12.

Should Whitelock be unable to clear the concussion protocols, the All Blacks lock stocks will be heavily depleted with only Scott Barrett healthy of the three selected in the initial 33-man squad. With Retallick's injury, Vaea Fifita could see minutes at lock, but the side will likely call in a replacement – Luke Romano a potential candidate to join the squad.

The locks are in good company under the injury cloud, with more members of the pack also trying to work their way back to match fitness before Saturday.

Loose forwards Sam Cane (abdominal) and Jordan Taufua (calf) were late scratches from the Chiefs showdown with the Crusaders, while the concerns go on for Hansen's squad, with midfielders Jack Goodhue (hamstring) and Ryan Crotty (concussion) also in doubt.

Should Crotty be unavailable for the first test on Saturday, Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown shape up as the likely midfield combination, though Jordie Barrett or Rieko Ioane could be surprise selections. The young duo have both spent time in the midfield during the Super Rugby season, with Barrett particularly impressive in the Hurricanes loss to the Highlanders at the weekend.

The All Blacks casaulty ward
Brodie Retallick – pectoral
Jack Goodhue – hamstring
Jordan Taufua – calf
Ryan Crotty – concussion
Sam Cane – abdominal
Sam Whitelock – concussion
Sonny Bill Williams – knee
Tim Perry - hamstring