Rugby: More All Blacks stars under injury clouds

Brodie Retallick watches from the sidelines after suffering a pectoral injury. Photo / Getty

The All Blacks could be without further key players for their first test against France after their injury concerns amplified during last night's clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders.

Brodie Retallick will be the main cause for alarm, after suffering a pectoral injury in the first half which forced him off the field. Chiefs coach Colin Cooper was unsure about the seriousness of the injury post-match, but with Sam Whitelock already in doubt due to concussion, it could leave the All Blacks without their two top locks for the first test on Saturday at Eden Park.

Retallick's Chiefs teammate Sam Cane is also in doubt. His expected return didn't eventuate against the Crusaders, with his abdominal injury still causing him grief.

Cooper said the Chiefs weren't confident that Cane was 100 per cent fit.

"If it was a final, maybe [he could play], but it wasn't worth the risk again."

The All Blacks are already missing Kieran Read and Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Squire faces a visit to the judiciary today, while Ryan Crotty and Whitelock both have lingering concussion concerns.

Crotty and Whitelock aren't the only Crusaders facing a race to be fit for the first test however, with Jack Goodhue and Jordan Taufua both late scratches for last night's clash.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson believes both will be close calls to be available for the French test.

"Jordy's calf got just a wee bite in it, the same one from the week earlier which is a real shame for him, he's in a race for those test matches to be available," Robertson explained.

"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. It was a bit less than we normally do, and he tested yesterday 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."

Thoughts turned to whether the All Blacks camp had perhaps shoulder-tapped Robertson and Cooper to not take a risk on the fitness of their All Blacks, but Cooper waved that suggestion away.

"There's wasn't any of that - they left it for us to make the decision"

There was some relief though on the injury front for the All Blacks. Rookie prop Karl Tu'inukuafe and burgeoning first five Richie Mo'unga both had to be replaced late in the game, but were just suffering from cramp and will be fit for selection for the first test.